As Nigerians across the country prepare for the Christmas and New Year celebrations, many travellers have expressed frustration over skyrocketing road transport fares, calling on the Federal Government to intervene.
While passengers travelling by rail enjoy free train rides, road transport users are urging the government to extend similar palliatives to interstate bus routes or restore the 50% fare reduction granted last year.
At various terminals in Lagos, including Oshodi, Jibowu, and Maza Maza, passengers lamented the steep increase in fares.
Prices for trips to the East soared to as high as ₦40,000 on luxury buses and ₦65,000 on minibuses. Many said they had no choice but to cancel their travel plans due to the unaffordable costs.
Chinedu Uzoechina, a father of five, told New Telegraph: “I was hoping the government would reintroduce the 50% fare discount we enjoyed last year. But now, for my family of seven, it will cost ₦280,000 one way and ₦560,000 for a round trip. How can I afford that? We’ve had to cancel our plans.”
Other travelers echoed his sentiments, recounting how last year’s discounts had enabled them to reunite with their families during the festive season. Some passengers thronged bus terminals, hoping the free train ride palliative might extend to buses, but they left disappointed.
Damian Ezuma, manager of Izu Chukwu Transport, attributed the high fares to rising operational costs, particularly the soaring price of diesel, now at ₦2,000 per litre in some areas.
“It’s not our fault. The cost of maintaining buses is overwhelming, and we’re doing our best to keep the vehicles on the road,” he stated.
Passengers have called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to ease the burden on road travellers, either by extending the free ride scheme to long-distance buses or reinstating last year’s fare reduction.
“Christmas is about family. But if transport costs remain this high, many of us will be stuck in the cities, far from our loved ones,” one passenger said.
