According to a survey conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), transport fares within Enugu city have increased by 50% in the few weeks leading up to the end of December 2021.
Since September, October, and the beginning of December 2021, the fare had remained constant.
As shown in a NAN survey conducted on Saturday in Enugu, the fare will rise even more in the run-up to the Christmas and New Year’s celebrations.
The development has been blamed on the market’s constant increase in the prices of other commodities, the high cost of vehicle spare parts and maintenance, and excessive mechanic charges, which have made it difficult for bus drivers to make a profit.
And according to survey, the situation is worst during morning and evening rush hours, or when there is little traffic congestion.
As a result, bus drivers are free to raise fares at their discretion, to the detriment of passengers.
Some drivers who spoke with NAN said they raised the price due to the high cost of maintaining their vehicles, as well as the cost of replacing worn out parts such as brake pads, engine oil, and others.
Mr Uchenna Osigwe, a bus driver, stated that the driving business is no longer profitable in the state due to the uncontrollable costs involved.
“It is surprising and unbelievable how the cost of other commodities in the market keeps increasing on a daily basis, and we need to raise the money we charge to keep up,” he said.
“We pay various dues to state and local governments, settle security agencies on the road, and most of the time we spend a lot to repair our buses when they break down, yet passengers still complain about how much we charge them,” he lamented.
He stated that the oil pump, which was previously sold for N4,000, is now N8,000, engine oil has increased from N2,000 to N4,000, fan belt has increased from N300 to N500, and break pad has increased from N500 to N1,500.
Osigwe went on to say that they paid various levies while on the road, and that many of their vehicles were on hire-purchase agreements, which required them to pay the owner of the vehicle on a weekly basis.
He also stated that due to the celebrations, transportation fares in the state would rise further from now until January 2022.
Uba Ezenwa, a tricycle rider, stated that public drivers, like other Nigerians, have needs, and that if the fare remains fixed in the current state of affairs in the country, drivers and their families will go hungry.
“The market price of rice, beans, and other household goods has doubled, and we as Nigerians are feeling it as well.”
“Passengers must understand and bear with us,” he continued.
Meanwhile, some passengers who spoke with NAN bemoaned the fare increase despite no increase in fuel prices at the pump.
Mr Agozie Anieke, a passenger, claimed that drivers would simply wake up and add N50 or N100 to the existing fare with no warning.