Economic Hardship Bites Harder: Enugu Commercial Bus Drivers Lament Low Patronage as Residents Resort to Trekking

Economic Hardship Bites Harder: Enugu Commercial Bus Drivers Lament Low Patronage as Residents Resort to Trekking

The economic challenges facing Nigeria have taken a toll on commercial bus drivers in Enugu metropolis, as they lament low patronage by residents. The drivers attribute the decline in business to the recent increase in fuel prices, which has forced them to hike transportation fares.

In separate interviews with newsmen, the commercial drivers expressed their frustration with the current state of affairs. Okwy Ozor, a commercial vehicle driver, stated that his profits have dwindled significantly since the federal government announced the removal of fuel subsidies and the subsequent increase in fuel prices.

"The driving business has not been moving fine since the removal of fuel subsidy and the subsequent increase in the price of fuel," Ozor lamented. A tricycle rider, who spoke on condition of anonymity, echoed Ozor's sentiments, stating that the increase in fuel prices has forced him to increase transportation fares, which has resulted in a decline in patronage.

"When we started buying petrol for N650, we only increased transport fare a little, and passengers were finding it difficult to pay. Where we used to collect N100, we increased it to N150 or N200, depending on the distance, but passengers still wanted to pay the old fare. That's why these days many people prefer to enter the big commercial buses, popularly called 911, which is cheaper than the tricycle, while many have resorted to trekking," the tricycle rider explained.

Felix Ujah, a mini-bus driver, emphasized that the increase in transportation fares is not the fault of commercial drivers. "It's not that we, commercial drivers, do not understand the plight of the passengers, but because sometimes if you buy N7,000 worth of fuel, it will not take you more than one or two days. So, business has been bad for us since they increased fuel prices. Sometimes you will only go two rounds in the morning during school hours, and after that, one can only pick a few passengers until closing school hours," Ujah stated.

Caleb Onyema, a bus conductor, observed that many residents, especially civil servants and students, have resorted to trekking since the fuel price increased to N1,150 from its previous price of N980.

Osita Ugwu, another commercial driver, lamented that he hardly makes enough gain as he used to before. "I spend so much, but at the end of the day, I cannot even realize the amount I used in fueling my vehicle. It's a sad situation; I call on the government to quickly resolve the issue of the increase in the price of fuel so that prices of foodstuffs and other things will come down," Ugwu appealed.

As the economic hardship continues to bite harder, commercial bus drivers in Enugu metropolis are calling on the government to take urgent action to address the issue of fuel price increase and its attendant effects on the economy.