Rising cost of transportation: We need government intervention

The rising cost of transportation across the country has continued to cause concern among Nigerians, as commuters, workers, traders, parents, students and other members of the public struggle to cope with increasing transport fares.

The development has made daily movement more expensive for families and individuals. Parents are particularly affected as they have to spend more money transporting themselves and their children to work, schools, markets, hospitals and other important places. For many households, the increase in transport costs has added to the financial difficulties they face in meeting their daily needs.

Transport operators have attributed the increase in fares to the rising cost of fuel, vehicle maintenance, spare parts and other operational expenses. They explained that the increased cost of running their businesses has made it difficult to maintain previous transport fares.

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For commuters, however, the situation has become a serious financial burden. Many people now spend a significant part of their daily income on transportation, leaving them with less money for food, education, healthcare and other basic needs.

Some commuters have resorted to walking long distances, reducing the number of trips they make or looking for cheaper means of transportation in order to reduce their expenses.

The government is being urged to improve public transportation, support affordable mass transit systems and address the factors responsible for the increasing cost of transportation.

Government intervention, stakeholders say, would help make transportation more affordable and reduce the financial pressure on millions of Nigerians who depend on public transport for their daily activities.

Yinusa Rokibat Dasola, a student of Aries Polytechnic, Ibadan