The Oyo State Government has subsidised transport fares for a staggering 5,880,000 passengers under its Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER) initiative between January and July 2025.
The figure was disclosed on Monday by the Chairman and Sole Administrator of Pacesetter Transport Services, Ibrahim Dikko, during a media briefing at the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan. His remarks were contained in a statement issued by Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Special Adviser on Media to Governor Seyi Makinde.
Dikko spoke about the reach and impact of the initiative, explaining that the SAfER transport programme was launched by the governor to help Oyo residents cope with soaring costs of living.
“In just the first seven months of 2025, nearly six million people have benefited from reduced transport fares,” he said.
He added that the agency had transported 9,950,000 passengers throughout 2024, a figure that reflects the state’s continued commitment to accessible and affordable mass transit.
“The SAfER programme has prioritised students, pensioners, the aged, people living with disabilities, and the general public,” Dikko noted. “This subsidy covers various intra-city and inter-city routes across the state, using our fleet of state-owned buses.”
The SAfER programme is one of several government-led efforts aimed at protecting vulnerable groups and ensuring equitable access to essential services.
The Oyo State Government has hinted at plans to expand the SAfER initiative, indicating it may extend the programme beyond transportation to other key sectors such as healthcare and agriculture.
