Many Nigerians are complaining about the continued increase in transport fares, even though fuel prices have gone down and the Federal Government has introduced Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as an alternative to petrol.
A total of 31 passengers across major parks in Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo states spoke with our correspondent and expressed frustration over what they called “unbearable” fares. They blamed the hike on transport unions and the fees they force commercial drivers to pay daily.
Although the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, has reduced recently, passengers said they haven’t felt any relief in their pockets.
Ayinla Idris, a trader traveling from Iwo Road to Ondo said, “Transport fare is killing my business. I sell goods in Ondo, but I can’t make profit anymore because transport fare is too high. The unions are making it worse. They collect different charges from drivers, and drivers pass the cost to us.”
He explained that he once tried to intervene when union members were arguing with a driver, only to be insulted and pushed around.
“The unions frustrate the efforts of President Tinubu. The President is trying to make things better, but these people are only after money. They collect sitting fees, loading fees, and ticket fees from drivers every day. These charges are the reason drivers hike fares,” he added.
Fares Have Doubled – NBS Report
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) April 2024 Transport Fare Watch, the average fare for intercity bus journeys jumped to ₦7,122.57 in April 2024 from ₦3,994.51 in April 2023 — almost double the cost within a year.
Even though there was a small drop of 0.43% from March to April 2024, many passengers say this decrease is not visible in reality.
Iyinola Aderibigbe, a passenger in Lagos asked, “What small drop are they talking about?”
Aderibigbe said, “Every time I enter a bus, I pay more. And they pack five people on a row meant for four. It’s uncomfortable and dangerous.”
Aderibigbe said governments at both the state and federal levels have failed to take action against what she described as the “greed and lawlessness” of transport unions.
She said, “The government is silent while area boys run the show. They overload vehicles, collect illegal fees from drivers, and treat passengers like trash. If you complain, they’ll beat you.”
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Drivers Also Cry Out
Commercial drivers said they are also victims of the current system. Many of them said the multiple fees collected daily by union officials have left them with almost nothing to take home.
Adediwura Kazeem, a commercial driver in Ibadan said, “We only work for the unions. We pay fuel attendants, mechanics, and the worst of them — the unions. When you buy a new vehicle, your hope is to save and buy another one. But before long, your bus is in the mechanic’s workshop, and you’re back to square one.”
He explained how most drivers end up taking another bus on hire-purchase from union executives after their own vehicles break down due to lack of maintenance.
“They collect our money daily, yet when your vehicle breaks down, you go back to them to take a bus on higher purchase. That’s modern-day slavery,” he lamented.
Unions Blamed for Soaring Prices
Many passengers and drivers agree that transport unions are a major cause of the high fares. At every park, drivers are expected to pay three compulsory charges: booking fee, loading fee, and ticket fee. These payments are made daily and differ depending on the park leadership and state government policies.
Passengers say that even though the government has introduced Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to reduce fuel costs, there is no visible impact because unions continue to demand huge levies.
Idris said, “The CNG buses were supposed to help. But in most places, they haven’t arrived or are too few. And even when drivers use them, they still have to pay the same outrageous charges.”
Call for Government Intervention
Both passengers and drivers are calling on the government to take action. They want better regulation of the transport system and the activities of unions.
Kazeem said, “The government needs to come in now. There must be order. Transport unions are not above the law. If we are serious about fighting poverty and helping small businesses, we must fix the transport sector.”
Passengers like Aderibigbe agree.
Aderibigbe said, “We want a transport system where people don’t have to choose between feeding and getting to work. It’s not too much to ask.”