***May Reduce Transport Fare
Commercial Drivers and Motorcyclists in Akure the Ondo State capital have complained of low patronage as most commuters have resorted to trekking thus affecting their business.
Inter states and intracity transfer fare went up in Akure after the pronouncement of petrol subsidy removal by President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday 29th of May, 2023.
This was followed by an increase in the official pump price of petrol from #195 per liter to #500 per liter.
Investigations revealed that a drop which used to cost between #50 and #100 is now between #200 and #300 depending on the distance.
This has made most commuters to either trek and abandon their appointments and stay indoors.
“I can not continue to pay the transport fare, it is killing. How much I’m I earning that I will be spending between #800 and #1000 naira on transportation on daily basis.”
“It is not economically wise to do so. Though I am not against the removal of petrol subsidy, government should think of how to cushion it’s effects depending the time the situation will normalize.”
“I now choose which invitation to honour while I do most of my businesses from home.” Mr Tunde Dada said
A civil servant, Mrs Lydia Taiwo who said he lives at Ijare said it is now an uphill task to go to his office situated at Alagbaka in Akure.
“I have abandoned my vehicle due to the hike in petrol pump price. I now spend close to #2000 naira as transport fare on daily basis. This is discouraging. Government should wade in.” She said
This development is now having telling effects on commercial drivers and Okada operators.
They now complaining of low patronage as most of the Taxis were seeing plying major streets empty.
A Taxi Driver, Mr Taju Eniola said “You can see I don’t have my passengers full, they seem not to be interested in boarding taxi again.”
Another one, Raimi Dada said “I’m tired oo, I don parade this streets (sic) tire, nobody dey stop me.”
They said in view of the pump price, transport fare, per drop can not be lesser than #200.
The Drivers are however considering reduction in the fare to encourage more commuters to patronize them.
It would be recalled that on Thursday last week, motorists staged a peaceful protest against the hike in petrol pump price occasioned by subsidy removal.