Some travellers in Akwa Ibom have expressed displeasure over the high cost of transportation during the Christmas season.

Checks around major motor parks in Uyo metropolis revealed that many transport companies have increased fares.

The cost of transportation witnessed an increase compared to what was charged in the 2023 Christmas season.

Many transport companies in the city, which used to charge N24,000 for Uyo to Abuja, have increased the fare to N34,500.

The companies’ price lists showed that travelling from Uyo to Lagos is N35,500 for an air-conditioned bus and N31,500 for a non-air-conditioned vehicle.

Uyo to Kaduna is N34,000. Uyo to Ilorin is N37,050. Uyo to Ibadan is N31,500. Uyo to Enugu is N13,500, and Uyo to Port Harcourt is N8,000. The lists further showed that travelling from Uyo to Benin, which was N15,000 in December 2023, is now N22,500.

Ephraim Ini, a civil servant, said the increase in transportation had prevented him from travelling with his family for the Christmas festival.

“My salary is not enough to transport the whole family and still take care of our other needs waiting for my attention.

“Schools will resume very soon, so every family needs to set priorities right. Life continues after Christmas, and the situation is critical.

“Money is scarce, but the needs of families and what they need money to do are many. We can’t continue this way,” he said.

Mr Ini urged the government to make transportation cheaper for ordinary citizens during festive seasons.

“Not very long ago, we were paying about N1,500 to travel from Uyo to Benin. You can imagine the difference. Travelling is now a project.

“Apart from high fares, insecurity is another reason that many families do not travel together during festivals such as this.

“Government must intervene as we are entering a new year to reduce the suffering we are passing through in this country,” he said.

Abiodun Abidemi, a trader, said he planned to use the holiday period to visit his family in Lagos but expressed concerns at the high cost of transportation.

“In the past, I used to travel regularly, but I can’t do that now. Where is the money? Today, we are paying N34,500 to Lagos. This used to be N5,000 not long ago.

“Things are very difficult in this country now. As a salary earner, my income cannot take care of my basic needs,” he said.

A transport manager, Jones Etim, said patronage was low compared to 2023, saying, “It is difficult to even load two buses in a day. This is supposed to be our peak season, but we are seeing a different thing because transportation is high and people do not have money.”

Edward Odiete, FRSC sector commander in Akwa Ibom, urged drivers to plan their journeys and to avoid alcohol and speeding.

He said it was the collective duty of drivers, passengers and other road users to ensure road safety during the yuletide.

 (NAN)