Transporters in Enugu have attributed the recent slight increase in fares to the imminent cost of vehicle wear-and-tear occasioned by dilapidation of some major road routes.
They were of the view that fuel was never a challenge this Yuletide as the Federal Government through the NNPC had kept its promises of enough supply and stable pump price virtually in all locations in the country.
Peace Mass Transit, GUO, God is Good, Landjet, Eastern Circle Mass Transit; increased their fares slightly increased by about 20 per cent.
It was gathered that most transporters charge between 6,000 and 8,000 for a trip to Abuja now; as this price depends on the comfort and meal the transport company provides.
While previous before the yuletide it was between N5,000 and N6,000 to get to Abuja from Enugu among the transporters.
Likewise, a trip to Lagos from Enugu is now between N7,000 and N9,000 depending on extra service the transport company offers; which was previously between N5500 and N6,500 before the season.
Reacting, Mr Obinna Ugwu, Manager of Landjet Park, Enugu, said that transporters were grateful for Federal Government keeping its promises to make fuel available at official pump price this season.
“However, we have a new emerging and more far-reaching challenge which is the frequent break down of vehicles in our fleet after making one or two trips to Abuja or Lagos,’’ Ugwu said.
Another transporter, Mr Chidi Nsude, Manager of Eastern Circle Mass Transit Park, appealed to the Federal and state government to do all they could to make major roads motorable.
“If not for complaint of wear-and-tear of our vehicles occasioned by dilapidated roads; I do not see any genuine reason for increase in fare since other factors had remained stable especially availability of fuel,’’ Nsude said.
