Located in the heart of Utako District, Plot 7, Cad Zone B5 [off Berger Junction], Utako, Abuja, it is 32 km from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International and about five minutes’ drive from the main bus terminal in the Federal Capital Territory [FCT].
City Transit Inn is a budget opened on February 20, 2001 with 42-room hotel next to the ABC Transport’s modern terminal, and offers affordable accommodation and features air-conditioned rooms with hot and cold showers, TV with multiple satellite channels, home video and local stations as the first real budget or bed and breakfast accommodation in Abuja.
ABC Transport Plc commenced operation in road passenger transportation on February 13, 1993 as an off-shoot of Rapido Ventures with a view to running a modern road transportation system in Nigeria.
ABC Transport operates luxury bus services according to accepted international standards of road transportation. Its services are specially designed for distinguished travellers who would otherwise use air service.
The operations within and outside Nigeria are carried out in ultra-modern terminals, with comfortable lounges in various cities like Lagos [Bolade, Jibowu and Amuwo-Odofin], Aba, Owerri, Port-Harcourt, Abuja, Enugu, Onitsha, Umuahia, Jos, Mbaise, and Accra [Ghana].
ABC buses are dubbed with the company’s trademark ‘The Reindeer’. The choice of the Reindeer as the company’s symbol was made after a careful study of the peculiarities of the animal, which is strong, fast and moves in herds.
In 2014 according to Oriere Goddey, Manager, City Transit Inn, by ABC Transport Plc added additional 72 rooms, bring the famous bed and breakfast in Nigeria to 114 rooms.
He noted that operation at City Transit Inn is a classic bed and breakfast facility. Guests work in, and after paying for their room rates, locate their rooms alone without any concierge services, except when necessary.
Oriere stated further that the hotel has basic facilities; such as bed, television, intercom and a bathroom for the convenient of guests was original conceptualised to provide accommodation to ABC Transport customers, but was opened to the general public from the onset.
On challenges faced in managing a budget hotel, it’s in most cases the lowest level of experience of the guests. Because of the lower rate, some of them are just ordinary travellers who took advantage of the cheap rate to stay, and also break almost basic hotel rules and regulations.
“Even, there is a non-smoking signs in the rooms and floors, many ignored them and still smoke”, Oriere said.
Sounding optimistically, the manager noted that despite the few challenges, it’s a profitable business as the facility runs on almost 80 to 90 per cent daily, and the lowest is 75 per cent, a figure that is unmatched by any accommodation facility in Nigeria.
On the secret of sustaining the facility, the manager noted that, “the secret has been regular maintenance and quick response to guests’ complaints because he never lacked the resources to do so”, he added.
He however, noted that guests are now requesting for internet service of which management is currently looking into it to make the stay of guests worthwhile.
Speaking on the challenge of lack of skilled workers in the hospitality industry in general in Nigeria, Oriere stated that he’s been lucky because of the general structure and operational procedures that have been institutionalised by the parent company, ABC Transport plc.
According to Oriere, the entire operation of the group has gone automated and City Transit Inn is part of this re-organisation.
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