NEWS
ABIA STATE GOVT ROLLS OUT CASHLESS PAYMENT SYSTEM FOR GREEN SHUTTLE BUSES
The Abia State Government has officially commenced the full rollout of the Abia Connect Card, a cashless payment solution introduced for the Green Shuttle Bus Service as part of ongoing efforts to modernize urban transportation across the state.
The initiative, approved under the administration of Governor Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, is designed to eliminate the inefficiencies associated with cash transactions and reposition public transport as a structured, transparent, and technology-driven sector.
Announcing the development, the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, described the rollout as a significant milestone in the state’s transport reform agenda. He noted that the digital card system will address common challenges such as delays in boarding, disputes over change, and revenue leakages, while ensuring faster and more secure transactions for commuters.
According to him, the Abia Connect Card also referred to as the “Abia State Card” operates on a simple tap-and-go system. Once funded, commuters are required to tap the card on the payment device upon boarding, with a confirmation sound validating successful payment.
To encourage adoption, the government disclosed that the first card will be issued free of charge to residents.
However, users will be required to fund the card, subject to a minimal ₦50 top-up charge before usage. The card does not expire, and funds loaded onto it remain valid without time limitations.
Prospective users are required to present their ABSSIN to obtain the card. Residents who do not yet have an ABSSIN can generate one independently via the Abia Pay online registration portal: https://abiapay.com/create-abssin
The government also announced designated terminals and authorized agent locations across Aba and Umuahia where residents can obtain the card.
In Aba, collection points are available along the Osisioma to Park, Opopo Junction to Park, Park to Flyover, and Flyover to Osisioma routes, including Osisioma Junction, Zonal Board Bus Stop, Bata Bus Stop, Park, Uratta Junction Bus Stop, Ohabiam Bus Stop, Flyover Junction, and Tonimas Junction.
In Umuahia, residents can obtain the card along the Ubakala to Isigate, Isigate to Tower, Isigate to Secretariat/JAC Building, and Isigate to Ohafia routes, with collection points at Ubakala, Isigate (by the Terminal), Tower, Secretariat (JAC Building), and Ohafia.
The Green Shuttle Service continues to operate both inter-city and intra-city routes at regulated rates.
Inter-city fares are fixed at ₦800 for Aba–Umuahia–Aba and ₦1,000 for Umuahia–Ohafia–Umuahia routes.
Within Umuahia and Aba metropolis, city services operate at a flat rate of ₦150 across all approved routes.
Government officials emphasized that the introduction of the Abia Connect Card is part of a broader strategy to build a modern transport ecosystem that promotes accountability, efficiency, and digital governance.
They urged residents to take advantage of the ongoing free card distribution, stressing that widespread adoption of the system will not only simplify commuting but also strengthen revenue tracking and service delivery within the public transportation sector.
With the rollout now underway, the Abia State Government says it remains committed to transforming the state’s transport system into a model of innovation and transparency in Nigeria.