The Abia State Government has launched a full cashless payment system for its Green Shuttle Bus Service, introducing the Abia Connect Card as the sole means of payment on the scheme’s routes.

The initiative, coordinated by the Ministry of Transportation under Governor Alex Otti’s administration, is designed to modernise public transport, reduce leakages in revenue collection and improve the commuting experience for residents in Aba, Umuahia and other serviced corridors.

Announcing the rollout, Commissioner for Information Okey Kanu described the Abia Connect Card, also called the Abia State Card, as a key step in building a digital, transparent and efficient transport ecosystem. He said the card is intended to eliminate the delays and disputes that often accompany cash transactions, while giving government clearer visibility over passenger numbers and income.

With the new system, commuters board Green Shuttle buses and pay by tapping their cards on an electronic device installed in the vehicles. A confirmation sound signals that the fare has been successfully deducted. The card itself does not expire, and funds loaded onto it remain valid indefinitely, allowing passengers to top up according to their needs.

The first Abia Connect Card is currently being issued free of charge at designated Green Shuttle terminals and authorised agents in Aba and Umuahia. To obtain one, residents are required to present their Abia State Social Identity Number, ABSSIN. Those who do not yet have an ABSSIN can register through the Abia Pay portal before applying for the card. Each top-up attracts a ₦50 service charge.

The Green Shuttle network covers both inter-city and intra-city routes. According to the government, inter-city fares include Aba–Umuahia at ₦800 and Umuahia–Ohafia at ₦1,000. Within Aba and Umuahia, city services operate at a flat rate of ₦150 on designated routes, a structure officials say is meant to keep urban mobility affordable while maintaining predictable revenue flows.

The state government is urging residents to take advantage of the ongoing free card distribution, arguing that widespread adoption will strengthen accountability in the transport sector and support broader digital reforms.

Okey Kanu said the objective is to make Abia’s transport system a national reference point for innovation and transparency, and called on commuters to embrace the cashless platform as part of a wider transition to a “smarter Abia.”