By Uzor Odigbo
The removal of fuel subsidy on petrol by the Federal Government has skyrocketed the price of PMS, leading to a general rise in the price of goods and services and overall cost of living.
President Bola Tinubu, during his inauguration speech on May 29 declared that “subsidy is gone”, prompting filling stations across the country to increase their prices, selling between N400 and N600.
While intra-city commuters continue to groan over fare prices that have tripled as a result, interstate travellers and drivers are the ones bearing the brunt.
The once-busy Mile 2 Park now experienced low passenger traffic.
As travellers are complaining about the increase, drivers are lamenting the monumental drop in passenger traffic, resulting in scanty parks, which is bad for business.
Those who could not afford air and rail transport usually go to their destinations by road. But the present development is also making them stay back when they would have been taking trips.
Ms. Adeola lamented that her friend spent N30,000 to fuel her car in order for them to attend an important event in Osun State and back to Lagos over the weekend.
According to JournalNg.com, Nathaniel, an artisan said his mother paid N19,600 to Umuahia from Jibowu, Lagos, via Abia Line over the weekend. The fare was about N15,000 before the increase in fuel price.
Lagos to the Eastern region on a Young Shall Grow small bus jumped from N12,500 to N14,500. While its luxurious bus with an air conditioner goes for N14,100, the one without the “extra” comfort accepts N13,100.
We also gathered that God Is Good Motors (GIGM) charges over N20,000 for a trip to the Southeastern parts of the country.
When we visited their office in FESTAC, the staff at the counter refused to speak, saying that the Manager was in a meeting and she does not know when he will be done.
The Financial Secretary, Lagos State Park and Garages Management in Mile 2, Kazim Kolawole disclosed that only N500 was added to the fare for Ogun State bound buses.
According to him, “We used to charge N2,100 per passenger for a trip to Ijebu Ode/Sagamu when we were buying a litre of fuel for N220. But now that we buy it for N500, we collect N2,600.”