By Abdullahi Olesin, Abu Nmodu, Felix Igbekoyi, Nnamdi Mbawike, Richard Ndoma, Anayo Onukwugha, Joshua Dada, Patrick Ochoga, Aza Msue, Alo Abiola, Emmanuel Mgbeahurike, Kabir Wurma

Despite efforts by the federal and state governments to reduce transport fares through Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered buses, commuters in several states are still paying high fares, LEADERSHIP findings have revealed.

President Bola Tinubu had directed state governments to ensure that the lower operating costs of CNG-powered transportation translated into reduced fares from October 1.

The directive followed the President’s August 27 meeting with the 36 state governors and was part of the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme, designed to deliver “measurable reductions in transportation costs” to Nigerians.

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However, checks by LEADERSHIP across several states showed that the promised relief has yet to reach many commuters, as CNG buses are either unavailable, not fully operational or insufficient to meet demand.

KWARA: CNG Buses Yet To Bring Fare Relief

In Kwara State, the government has yet to reduce transport fares.

Workers and residents said they had not experienced any reduction as of yesterday, while commercial transporters said fares remained largely tied to fuel costs.

The Commissioner for Transport, Aliyu Korasabi, said the government’s transport subsidy scheme had not taken off but that arrangements were underway to reduce fares through CNG buses.

He said the state currently had 19 CNG buses, with 10 additional buses ordered by the governor.

Niger: 200 CNG Buses Parked Over Lack Of Refuelling Centres

Transport fares have also remained unchanged in Niger State, with no recent government subsidy announced.

A transport worker at Abdulsalami Park, Minna, Idris Mohammed, said passengers still paid between N8,000 and N12,000 for intercity journeys, depending on the vehicle, while intracity fares averaged N500 per stop.

LEADERSHIP learnt that the state had purchased 200 CNG buses to ease transportation for workers and students, but the buses remained parked because the state had no CNG refuelling centre.

Attempts to obtain comments from the Commissioner for Information, Obed Nuhu Nana, and the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Bologi Ibrahim, were unsuccessful.

Delta: Bad Roads, Fuel Costs Push Fares Higher

Transport fares remain high in Delta State, with poor roads compounding the impact of fuel and vehicle maintenance costs.

A journey that should take about an hour can now take up to four hours on some routes, while some drivers have abandoned the roads because of vehicle damage.

Pius Okonkwo, Unit Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Asaba/Sapele Road, said fares would remain high because of fuel, diesel and spare-parts costs.

“Even if the prices of fuel and diesel go down, what of the bad roads and the high cost of spare parts?” he asked.

A commuter, Bridget Ofiakode, said transportation costs were putting severe pressure on her family.

“My salary is less than N130,000. I spend over N80,000 on transport fare monthly, that is, if I don’t use my car. The issue is seriously killing my family,” she said.

The Delta State Commissioner for Transport, Onoriode Agofure, said the state government had approved 50 CNG buses to improve public transportation.

Enugu: State CNG Buses Offer Limited Relief

Commercial transport fares in Enugu State have remained largely unchanged despite the federal directive.

However, CNG buses operated by the state government had reduced fares before the presidential directive, with students and workers among the major beneficiaries.

Some commuters and transport operators questioned the effectiveness of the federal directive but commended the state government for deploying CNG buses.

Attempts to obtain comments from the Commissioner for Information, Malachy Agbo, were unsuccessful.

CROSS RIVER: Fares Rise Despite Ticket Levy Cut

Transport fares have risen in Calabar despite the Cross River State Government’s reduction of ticket levies for commercial operators.

Investigations showed that the fare from Watt to 8 Miles rose from N400 in September to N600 in October, while the Calabar-Odukpani fare increased from N1,500 to N2,000.

Commuters at major parks, including Watt Market and Atimbo roundabout, said the increases had worsened economic hardship.

“Last month I paid N400 to 8 Miles, now I pay N600. It is too much, but there is nothing we can do unless the government regulates this increment,” said a student, Agnes Effiong.

Transport operators blamed the increase on rising PMS prices, which they said had eroded the benefit of the reduced ticket levy.

A tricycle operator, Edem Asuquo, said fuel prices had risen from about N1,250 to between N1,350 and N1,400 per litre at some filling stations.

An official of the state Ministry of Transportation, who identified himself as Samuel but declined to give his surname, said the government had reviewed its ticketing system and engaged transport unions to enforce approved fares.

RIVERS: Commuters Await CNG Buses

Commuters in Rivers State said there had been no reduction in intra-state or inter-state fares.

The Head of the Land Transportation Department at the state Ministry of Transport, Andrew Alapuberesisika, said fares were expected to fall once the state received its CNG buses.

“The CNG buses have also been planned, and the government is doing something on that. The CNG buses have not arrived yet, but they are in the process of arriving,” he said.

OSUN: No Fare Cut As CNG Buses Remain Absent

There has been no reduction in transport fares in Osun State.

The Osun State Intra-city Bus Transport Union increased fares in Osogbo on September 26, citing the high cost of fuel.

The chairman of the Old Garage, Osogbo branch of the NURTW, Karimu Tunde, said his union was unaware of any government plan to reduce fares.

He said the absence of CNG buses in the state also made the proposed reduction difficult to implement.

EDO: Auchi Fare Jumps To N7,000

Residents of Edo State have also complained about rising transportation costs.

Odion Jacobs, a resident of Auchi, said the fare to the town had risen from between N3,000 and N4,000 to as much as N7,000, depending on the operator.

He said the increase was contributing to the rising cost of agricultural produce and other goods.

“Nigerians are going through a lot now. Since fuel prices have risen, transport operators have no choice but to increase their fares. I just returned from Auchi yesterday and paid N7,000, as against the N4,500 or N5,000 I used to pay,” he said.

He appealed to the government to intervene, particularly ahead of the yuletide.

BENUE: Makurdi-Abuja Fare Rises To N15,000

Commuters in Benue State have also lamented rising fares.

A passenger with Benue Links Nigeria Limited, Tachia Stephen, said he paid N15,000 for a Makurdi-Kaduna trip in August but N16,000 on October 3.

A transport worker with the NURTW at Wurukum, Makurdi, Ordue Tyover, said private operators had also increased fares.

According to him, the Makurdi-Abuja fare had risen from N13,000 to N15,000, with some operators charging N14,500.

Benue Links had earlier announced a fare increase on routes from Makurdi to other states following an increase in PMS prices from N1,350 to N1,415 per litre.

The company said fares on routes within Benue would remain unchanged while it monitored the situation.

EKITI: CNG Buses Yet To Lower Existing Fares

Transport fares remain high in Ekiti State despite the government’s deployment of CNG buses.

A passenger at the Ado-Ekiti City Bus Terminal said a trip to Lagos now cost N12,000 to N14,000, compared with N10,000 to N11,500 previously.

Passengers also pay N5,000 to N7,000 for trips to Ibadan and N3,000 to N4,000 to Akure.

Within Ado-Ekiti, commercial motorcycles and taxis charge at least N400 per drop.

A transporter, Ojo Ale, said operators could not reduce fares because of the high cost of fuel.

The state government has, however, commenced moves to reduce fares by rolling out 15 CNG buses donated by the Federal Government.

Residents expressed optimism that the buses would eventually bring down fares when fully operational.

A businessman, Olalekan Adebiyi, said the deployment could reduce transport costs and ease the movement of goods.

A university student, Titus Ogundele, also welcomed the initiative, saying it could reduce the burden on students and their parents.

However, no operational CNG bus park was found at the major motor parks visited by LEADERSHIP.

IMO: N300 Fare Rises To N400

Transport fares have also increased in Imo State.

The fare from Okigwe Road to Akwakuma, for instance, has risen from N300 before the removal of the fuel subsidy to N400.

Residents complained that government intervention had yet to provide meaningful relief.

The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Oguwike Nwachuku, said the state government had put machinery in place to address the situation.

KEBBI: Fuel Price Drives Fresh Fare Hike

Transport fares have risen sharply in Kebbi State compared with September, largely because of higher fuel costs.

Commercial motorcycle and vehicle operators have adjusted their fares accordingly.

An official of the Road Transport Workers Union said drivers attached to the parks had increased fares because of the prevailing fuel price.

The impact is being felt most by low-income earners and others who depend on public transportation for their daily activities.

Across the states surveyed, the findings show that the Federal Government’s promise of lower transport costs has yet to translate into widespread relief.

While some states have begun deploying CNG buses, others are still awaiting them, while inadequate refuelling infrastructure and rising petrol prices continue to undermine efforts to reduce fares.

For millions of workers, students and traders, the continued increase in transport fares means a larger share of household income is being spent simply on getting to work, school, markets and other economic activities.