By Bamidele Aremu
As the festive season kicks into full swing, passengers in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State, are grappling with a sharp increase in transportation fares that threatens to dampen festive season. Across various transport routes, travelers have expressed frustration over the rising costs, describing the financial burden as overwhelming.
A visit to Offa motor park in Ilorin by the National Pilot revealed a significant decline in the number of passengers at the motor park, with only a few seen waiting for vehicles. It was also discovered that transportation from Ilorin to Abuja has moved from #22,000 to ₦25,200, a price that many passengers described as outrageous and unaffordable.
A traveler at the park who identified herself as Mrs. Ajoke, lamented, “How can we celebrate with our families when the fares are this high? It’s really frustrating but there is absolutely nothing we can do about it.”
As passengers lament, motorists, defended the fare hike, attributing the rise to the hike in fuel pump price, which has significantly increased their operational expenses.
Speaking to National Pilot, a driver, at Offa Garage Motor park, Azeez Siri explained that the price of petrol has made it nearly impossible for them to maintain previous fare rates.
“Everybody in the country now know that petrol affect everything. Though it has come down a bit but it’s of no significance. As we think of fuel, we will also think about maintenance and other expenses. It’s either we increase fares or stop working entirely,” he said.
Meanwhile, at Saw-Mill Garage, Ilorin on Wednesday, around 7a.m, the situation was remarkedly different despite the hike in fare. A large crowd of passengers was seen queuing for vehicles, with only a few buses available.
For Kelvin, the urgency to reunite with family in Lagos outweighed the skyrocketing costs. “I don’t care how much it costs; I just need to get to Lagos today. My family is waiting for me,” he declared, desperation evident in his tone.
As Kelvin expressed desperation, another traveler Mrs. Funmi Adebayo, lamented the financial strain. “This is unfair. The fares are outrageous, but what can we do? We have no choice but to pay,” she said.
At Saw-Mill Garage, the cost of transportation from Ilorin to Lagos has risen from #10,000 to ₦14,000 with car while it costs ₦11,,000 to travel in an 18-setters in bus. Despite the hike, passengers at Saw Mill Garage remained determined, with some scrambling to secure spots on the few available vehicles.
While speaking to National Pilot, one of the drivers at the Saw-Mill Garage, Yusuf Adeyemi blamed the hike primarily on the high cost of petrol. He disclosed that drivers are left with no alternative than to increase the hike.
“We’re not making much profit even with these fares. Petrol prices have made everything worse,” he said.
