LAGOS, Nigeria — Commercial bus drivers across Lagos State refuse to reduce transportation charges by 25 percent, leaving daily commuters feeling the pinch.
While the directive aimed to alleviate the transport expenses for Lagosians, many have voiced their dismay over the unyielding fares.
Dele, a regular commuter from Iyana Ipaja to Berger, lamented on Saturday, August 12, 2023, “I have not noticed the 25 per cent reduction in transport prices ordered by government. It only fluctuates between certain prices depending on the availability of passengers on the road and the traffic.”
Hope, another distressed passenger, echoed the sentiment, highlighting that he had seen no fare reduction from bus operators since the government’s announcement.
From the drivers’ perspective, the reduction is seen as impractical.
Many cite the escalating costs in their operations as the primary reason for their inability to comply.
Adewale, a bus driver plying the Berger to Oshodi route, emphasized the financial challenges since the removal of the fuel subsidy.
“The cost of the tickets that they are selling to us is still high,” he shared, adding, “If there is something that needs to be reduced, let us go to the filling stations. It is from there that the matter can be settled.”
Another driver, preferring the moniker “Pastor,” painted a grim picture of the hardships faced by drivers, citing the soaring prices of vehicle maintenance items like tires and engine oil.
He implored the government to understand that, “It is not the bus park union that is maintaining my car. So, they cannot do much to help the situation.”
However, there’s a silver lining for some passengers. Yaro, a driver ferrying passengers between Berger and Ikosi, stands out as an exception.
Not waiting for the government’s directive, Yaro had already slashed his rates due to a drop in passenger numbers, demonstrating some willingness among drivers to adapt to changing circumstances.
The tussle between the government’s intentions, drivers’ practical realities, and commuters’ needs shows a city grappling with economic challenges and raises questions about effective policy implementation.
