Abia rolls out tap-and-pay cards for state shuttle buses

The Abia State government has rolled out cashless payments for its Green Shuttle Bus Service, introducing the Abia Connect Card for commuters across the state.

The tap-to-pay system went live this week, allowing residents to board inter-city and intra-city buses without handling cash. To pay, users tap their card on the payment device when they get on board. The fare is then automatically deducted.

The first card is free for residents and can be collected at Green Shuttle terminals and authorised agent locations in Aba and Umuahia. After that, commuters only need to top up the card to keep using it.

How the system works

Residents need their Abia State Social Identification Number to receive a card. Those without one can register through the Abia Pay portal before collection.

Once obtained, users load money onto the card through designated channels, with a ₦50 top-up charge applied per transaction. When boarding, they tap the card on the payment device, and a confirmation sound indicates successful payment.

The card has no expiration date, and any money you put on it will not expire. The cost of rides depends on where you are going. Trips between cities cost ₦800 from Aba to Umuahia and ₦1,000 from Umuahia to Ohafia. Rides within Aba or Umuahia cost a flat rate of ₦150.

Okey Kanu, Abia’s commissioner for information, said in a statement on Sunday that the system eliminates cash-related problems like delays, change disputes, and revenue leakages.

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“We are intentionally moving away from the hassles of cash transactions,” he said. “With the Abia Connect Card, commuting becomes as simple as a single tap.”

Why Abia is pushing cashless transport

This initiative is part of Governor Alex Otti’s plan to modernise public services and make revenue collection more transparent. Paying with cash on public transport often causes arguments between drivers and passengers about the correct change. It also creates chances for people to steal revenue and makes the boarding process take longer.

The cashless system solves all three problems. Passengers can’t argue about fares because they are set and automatically paid. All money goes directly into accounts that can be tracked, which reduces lost revenue. Also, boarding is faster because drivers don’t have to deal with cash or give change.

The state government described the rollout as “a milestone in its drive to build a digital, transparent and efficient transport ecosystem.”

Kanu urged residents to collect their free cards during the ongoing distribution period. “Our objective remains clear: to make Abia State’s transport system a model of innovation, efficiency, and transparency in Nigeria,” he said.

The Green Shuttle Bus Service operates on both inter-city routes connecting major towns and intra-city routes within Aba and Umuahia, providing affordable public transport across the state.

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