The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in its Transport Fare Watch for June 2023 revealed that Nigerians paid 97.8% more intra-city bus fares in June compared with May 2023, following the removal of fuel subsidies.
According to the report, Bauchi state recorded the highest bus journey within the city (per drop constant route) in June 2023 with N1,700.00, followed by Jigawa with N1,570.00, as Imo state recorded the least with N710.00, followed by Adamawa with N840.00.
It explains that the Transport fare covers bus journey within the city per drop constant route; bus journey intercity (state route) charge per person; air fare charge for specified routes single journey; journey by motorcycle (Okada) per drop; and water way passenger transport.
The report noted that the average fare paid by commuters for bus journeys within the city per drop increased by 97.88% from N649.59 in May 2023 to N1,285.41 in June 2022, adding:
“On a year-on-year basis, it rose by 120.63% from N582.61 in June 2022.
In another category, the average fare paid by commuters for bus journey intercity per drop rose to N5,686.49 in June 2023, indicating an increase of 42.09% on a month-on-month basis compared to N4,002.16 in May 2023.
“On a year-on-year basis, the fare rose by 55.25% from N3,662.87 in June 2022.”
Similarly, the average transport fare paid on Okada transportation was N618.52 in June 2023 which was 33.14% higher than the rate recorded in May 2023 (N464.55).
“On a year-on-year basis, the fare rose by 48.34% when compared with June 2022 (N416.97).
Meanwhile, Air Travel recorded on a year-on-year basis, an increase of 40.22% from N56,082.64 in June 2022, they said:
“In air travel, the average fare paid by air passengers for specified routes’ single journey increased by 4.93% from N74,948.78 in May 2023 to N78,640.54 in June 2023.
“On a year-on-year basis, the fare rose by 40.22% from N56,082.64 in June 2022.
“Delta recorded the highest air transport charges (for specified routes single journeys) with N87,000.00, followed by Kebbi with N83,500.00.
“Conversely, Abia recorded the least fare with N70,000.00, followed by Niger with N73,000.00.
Politics Nigeria reported recently that the Lagos State Government moved to ensure the implementation of the reduction of transport fares by state-owned buses and commercial buses by 50% and 25% respectively earlier announced by the government.
This followed the series of complaints received by the Ministry of Transportation that some public transport operators did not comply with the pronouncement made by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to mitigate the impact of subsidy removal on commuters.
