Lagos, Nigeria — Nigerians across Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo states have decried the continued spike in transportation fares, despite a drop in fuel pump prices and the federal government’s introduction of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as a cheaper alternative to Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

Interviews conducted at major motor parks by our correspondent revealed widespread frustration among commuters and commercial drivers, who blame powerful transport unions and unchecked levies for the unrelenting hike in fares.

Thirty-one passengers interviewed described the situation as “unsustainable,” lamenting that fares remain at nearly 400 percent above pre-2023 levels, when PMS prices surged to as high as ₦1,200 per litre shortly after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office.

Union Levies, Not Fuel, Blamed for High Costs

Commercial drivers say the root cause of the inflated fares is not fuel scarcity but daily levies imposed by transport unions, including booking, loading, and ticket fees. These charges vary by location and state but are uniformly mandatory and enforced with impunity.

“These unions collect money from drivers for everything — from parking to picking up passengers — and none of it is accounted for,” said Adediwura Kazeem, a commercial driver in Ogun State. “At the end of the day, we’re left with nothing.”

Kazeem added that most drivers work only to pay union dues, repair costs, and fuel, with little to no profit. He accused transport unions of growing rich at the expense of both drivers and passengers.

Passengers Speak: ‘Transport Is Killing Our Businesses’

Ayinla Idris, a small business owner en route to Ondo, said rising transport fares are destroying livelihoods, especially for small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs).

“I’m at the point of shutting down my business. Transport costs make it almost impossible to move goods affordably,” he told our correspondent at Iwo Road Park in Ibadan. “What should cost ₦5,000 now costs almost ₦20,000. It’s not fuel prices anymore — it’s extortion.”

Idris accused the government of abandoning a critical sector of the economy to “touts and uneducated elements,” who control the parks and impose arbitrary fees.

“President Tinubu’s efforts are not reaching us because transport unions are frustrating everything. If the government is serious about reforms, this is where they must start.”

Another commuter, Iyinola Aderibigbe, shared similar sentiments, slamming the government for turning a blind eye to the actions of so-called “area boys” who, she says, dominate the parks and endanger public safety.

“These unions overload vehicles just to make more money, and the government does nothing. We’re being overcharged, harassed, and endangered — and nobody is listening,” she said.

Transport Data Paints Bleak Picture

According to the National Bureau of Statistics’ April 2024 Transport Fare Watch, the average fare for intercity travel jumped to ₦7,122.57, up from ₦3,994.51 in April 2023 — an increase of nearly 80 percent in just one year.

Though the report noted a slight 0.43% month-on-month decrease from March 2024, the broader trend remains concerning.

CNG Not Yet Delivering Relief

Despite the Federal Government’s push for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as a long-term solution to high fuel costs, many drivers say they’ve yet to benefit from the initiative.

“We hear about CNG, but the buses aren’t available, and the stations are too few,” said Kazeem. “Until it’s widely accessible, it’s just talk.”

The Presidential CNG Initiative (PCNGI) recently announced over $491 million in new investments to expand CNG infrastructure, including a $6 million mini-LNG project. But for now, commuters and drivers say those plans have not translated into real-world impact.

‘We Are Slaves in Our Own Industry’

Kazeem delivered a stark conclusion: “Most of us abandon our vehicles at mechanic shops when we can no longer afford repairs. Then we go back to union leaders — who got rich off our money — to get another vehicle on hire purchase. When do we stop being slaves?”

As commuters continue to suffer and small businesses feel the strain, the call for regulatory intervention grows louder. Stakeholders are urging the Federal and State Governments to take control of the transport sector, curb union excesses, and ensure that economic relief initiatives truly benefit the Nigerian masses.

Until then, for many Nigerians, affordable and safe transportation remains painfully out of reach.