A new norm has taken over in Lagos, as transportation cost has increased by about 200 percent. However, commuters are left with no choice as transportation is essential despite the increasing cost.
Transporters claim that the vehicles carry just 60 percent capacity but they keep mute on the reduced cost of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) as they hike the transportation fare. In some cases, the previous transport fares for 100 naira has been hiked to 350 naira, further increased to 400 naira or 500 naira during the rush hour between 6pm and the 10pm curfew deadline.
Recall that Primero Transport Services Limited, operator of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in the state had an upward review of transport fares across all routes by receiving the government’s nod for an upward review.
With the daily inflation on cost of transportation which has triggered price hike in most of the major household items across the country the effects will gradually tell on the economy.
The situation we found ourselves is so unfortunate at this time where the global economy is struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, due to the practice of social distancing, every commuters has to suffer for it the hike in price as this is the new other of the day.
Speaking with MMS Plus newspaper on the recent hike in price of transport, a commuter Mr. John Nnamdi who works in Festac Town shared his pains on the recent hike.
His words: “I come from Egbeda everyday to work in Festac, the hike on the cost of transportation is nothing to write home about, and the cost is over 200 percent most times. To save cost sometimes, I prefer to stay at my work place once I close late rather than face the outrageous price that would be called during the rush hour”.
The government has to understand the plight of the people and the economic challenges been faced. Several experiences have already been shared on various media platforms as commuters resort into trekking long kilometers if they can’t afford the fare.
Looking at the economic implication there is need to understand that there will definitely be health implications as a result of commuters trekking long distances just to beat the rising cost of transport fare.
Meanwhile, transport operators argue that there is no way the fare could be the same as the social distancing and extorting on various routes by military personnel and transport regulators in different place across the state.
Why should commuters be made to pay this hiked fee, when they are victims of slashed salaries and other tough economic pangs following the COVID-19 pandemic?
