Abuja residents lament as motorists hike transport fares
Residents in the Federal Capital Territory are lamenting the increase in transportation fares across the territory.
Our correspondent conducted a survey on Wednesday and discovered that transportation costs have increased significantly in certain areas. For instance, the fare from Kuje to Area One, which used to be N400, has risen to N600, while the fare from Gwagwalada to Central Area has increased from N500 to N700.
Similarly, the cost of commuting from Airport Junction to Lugbe has increased from N200 to N300. The fare from AYA to Central Area has increased from N150 to N300, while the fare from Central Area to Kuje has risen from N500 to N800. The cost of transportation from Lugbe to Berger has increased from N200 to N300, and the fare from Wuse to Lugbe has risen from N300 to N400.
Additionally, the fare for tricycles from Airport Junction to Lokogoma has increased from N150 to N200. Moreover, there are few vehicles on the road, leaving passengers with limited options.
Some residents informed our correspondent that the increment in transportation fares was not related to the announcement made by President Bola Tinubu on Monday. According to The PUNCH, Tinubu declared that “Fuel subsidy is gone” after taking the Oath of Office. As a result of this announcement, filling stations in the area have increased their pump prices, and there is a scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit in the capital, which has led to long queues at the petrol stations.
A resident of Kuje, Joshua Friday feared that the situation might get worse.
He said,” Coming to the town from Kuje has become expensive. I have said to myself I won’t come to town if I am not sure of my mission. This will enable me to cut costs for now. To think today is day two of the president’s statement, I can assure you transporters will capitalise on this and the fares will still go up. ”
Another resident who gave her name as Blessing lamented that the subsidy removal had compounded the woes of many residents.
She said, “Judging by what I experienced today, the money I will have to be spending from my house to work will drastically increase. I stay at Gwagwalada. N700 brought me to work today, I initially was reluctant to board the vehicle until I realised that they all were calling the same price, this formerly cost us between N400 and N500. I hope salaries are reviewed, things have been hard and with this, it would be very difficult for people to cope.”
A commercial driver who simply gave his name as Abdulsalam blamed the increase on the high cost of the PMS.
Abdulsalam who plies between Airport Junction and Lugbe told our correspondent that the cost of transportation might further increase depending on the availability and price of fuel.
He said,” After buying fuel for N500, you do not expect me to carry at the same price we used to when it was N150. Some of my colleagues are still at the filling station, they are yet to get fuel. Some might end up buying from the black market, so do you think they would maintain the old price? Let me tell you the truth, we are yet to fix a price at this park, it could be higher depending on the situation of things but the price cannot come down. We are all in this together. “
