SPECIAL REPORT: Green buses, empty seats: Abuja airport’s electric shuttle struggles for passengers

Months after their introduction, Abuja's electric airport shuttle buses are failing to gain traction with travelers. Launched on January 30th by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to reduce carbon emissions and reliance on fossil fuels, the silent, green buses often sit empty at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

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Well, I am using the bus for the first time to try it out. They told me about it at the exit door, so I said let me try it. From the airport to the city, it is cheaper, but it is not going to take me to my final destination… when I get there and calculate everything I spent, then I will know.

Passengers arriving at the airport are frequently drawn to traditional taxis, car hire services, or ride-hailing apps, often bypassing the electric shuttles. Anita Mathew, a first-time user, expressed uncertainty about her continued use of the service. "From the airport to the city, it is cheaper, but it is not going to take me to my final destination… when I get there and calculate everything I spent, then I will know," she said, reflecting the service's limited reach.

The initiative, developed with Possible Electric Vehicles (Possible EVS), aims to modernize airport infrastructure and promote cleaner energy. FAAN officials, including Board Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje and Managing Director Olubunmi Kuku, have lauded the project as part of the authority's renewable energy agenda. This agenda also includes solar-powered lighting and energy-efficient upgrades.

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They are not owned by FAAN. It is owned by a private investor, Possible Electric Vehicles (Possible EVS). FAAN only granted them the opportunity to operate and do business at the airport, just like other car hire services, so it is strictly business.

However, the buses are not owned by FAAN. Matawal Solomon Moses, FAAN's Head of Commercial, clarified that Possible EVS, a Nigerian electric mobility company, operates the fleet of 10 buses. FAAN has granted them operational rights, similar to other car hire services. The service runs between the airport and its terminal in Wuse 2, but unlike taxis, it does not offer door-to-door service, a factor that may be deterring passengers.

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They pick passengers from the airport and go straight to their business park, unlike car hire services that take you to your doorstep.