Governor Godwin Obaseki has approved the extension by three months of the free bus scheme introduced by the Edo State government in the wake of fuel subsidy removal.

The shuttle was unveiled on September 11 for an initial two-month period to cushion effects of the petrol policy on the people.

Over 1.5 million residents benefitted from the first phase of the scheme, which covered all intra and intercity routes, operated by the state-owned Edo City Transport Services (ECTS).

In a statement, Managing Director of Edo State Transport Authority (ESTA), Mrs. Edugie Agbonlahor, said the extension was in furtherance of government’s commitment to welfare of the people, clarifying the free transport would subsist till next February.

She said the extension would benefit those travelling for Christmas, noting that the gesture was to ease the pressure from fare.