By Samuel Shie
Despite the recent decline in fuel prices, transportation costs in Makurdi remain high, leaving commuters frustrated and questioning the pricing practices of local transport companies.
Investigations by The Voice revealed that the commuters are complaining of no change in fares despite the fuel price reduction. They cited fuel costs, poor road conditions, and a perceived lack of government regulation as major contributors to the high fares. They also highlighted unsatisfactory responses to their complaints, emphasizing a significant communication breakdown between commuters and transport companies.
According to Gabriel Fefa, a commuter at Pleasure Travels, “I have noticed a significant increase in transportation fees from my usual transportation company. This has directly impacted my budget as I now have to spend more money on my daily commute.
“The increased fares have added a burden and I have to reduce my travel frequency and opt for alternative modes of transportation to save some money”.
To Helen Shie, a traveller at Pleasure Travels, “As a student, I rely heavily on public transportation to get to and from my university. However, the high transportation fees have put a strain on my already tight budget.
“The high fares have also made it difficult for me to manage my travel expenses. As a result, I have to cut down on my travel frequency and look for cheaper alternatives to commute.
Isaac Guuse, a traveler at Duku Park said, “I have to travel using public transportation every day. With the recent increase in transportation fees, I have been forced to pay more for my daily commute. The increase has also impacted my travel plans and I have to make adjustments to my schedule to accommodate these changes”.
Also speaking, Dinnah Tivfa, a traveler at Duku Park said, “I am a senior citizen who relies on public transportation to get around. However, due to the high transportation fees, I spend more money on my daily commute, which has affected my budget. Moreover, the high fares made it difficult for me to plan my trips and I have to reduce my travel frequency to manage my expenses better.
To Konshisha Isaac, a traveler at London Line, “As a frequent traveler, I have noticed a significant increase in transportation fees from my usual transportation company, this has directly impacted my travel budget and I have to spend more money than I initially planned. The high fares have also been a challenge and I have to make adjustments to my travel plans to accommodate these changes”.
He pleaded for a reduction in the fares.
In his comments, Aondoaver Eunice, a traveler at London Line said, “I have been a loyal customer of this transportation company for years now. However, the recent increase in transportation fees has made it difficult for me to continue using their services. The high fares have added to my expenses, and I have to limit my travel frequency to avoid overspending.
“It’s disappointing to see the impact these changes have had on my travel plans”, she lamented.
When contacted, Yanmeer Simon, Personal Assistant to the Managing Director, Pleasure Travels, attributed the persistent high fares to operational costs.
“While we acknowledge the recent fuel price reduction other costs, such as maintenance and driver salaries, haven’t decreased proportionally. These impacts our pricing strategies”.
He expressed openness to future collaborations with the government to address the issue.
He said customer complaints are handled on a case-by-case basis.
Also speaking, Igba Agbende, Manager, Duku Park Nigerian Limited said, “Operational costs, particularly maintenance and driver wages remain significant factors in our pricing”.
He acknowledged the fuel price decrease but emphasized that these other costs haven’t seen a corresponding reduction and expressed willingness to collaborate with the government on potential solutions.
According to Mr. Terhemen Boniface Iber, Manager ,London Line, “The cost of maintaining our fleet and paying our drivers is substantial. While the fuel price has dropped, other operational expenses haven’t followed suit”.
