As Christmas approaches, inter-state transport fares in Kwara State have remained stable despite the removal of the fuel subsidy.
Investigations at motor parks in Ilorin, the state capital, revealed that transport costs have not changed in the lead-up to the festive season. Passengers traveling from Ilorin to various states continue to pay the same rates.
Issa Akanji Busari, Chairman of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) at the Maraba Motor Park in Ilorin, stated that passengers traveling by car to Kaduna pay N24,000, while those taking the bus pay N19,000. Other routes also maintain similar fare structures: Zaria passengers pay N25,100, while those traveling to Kano pay N30,000.
Rufai Azeez, an official in charge of the Sokoto unit, confirmed that a trip from Ilorin to Sokoto costs N27,000. Other fares include N18,000 for Ilorin to Minna, N15,000 for Ilorin to Kontagora, and N6,000 for routes like Ilorin-Birni-Kebbi and Ilorin-Mokwa.
At the Lagos unit, Chairman Yinusa Abdul Salam disclosed that the Ilorin-Lagos fare is N9,000, while trips to Ibadan and Abuja cost N5,000 and N23,000 respectively.
However, at the Sawmill Motor Park on Lagos Road, Ilorin-Lagos passengers pay N13,000 by car, while Hummer bus passengers are charged N10,000.
Transport union officials reported that despite the stable fares, there has not yet been a noticeable increase in passenger numbers but remain hopeful that traffic will pick up before Christmas.
One official also noted that the security situation in parts of northern Nigeria has improved, leading to safer travel conditions for both drivers and passengers.
