As fuel scarcity continues to grip Lagos and other major cities, commuters are facing skyrocketing bus fares and longer waits for public transportation, impacting their daily routines and livelihoods.
Tricycles and buses, vital for daily commutes, have become scarce as operators struggle to obtain fuel. Many filling stations have halted sales, while those still operating are charging prices well above the normal range.
Observations on Monday morning revealed crowded bus stops and parks across Lagos, with commuters stranded due to the scarcity of available vehicles. At locations like Ojota, queues formed as people awaited tricycles and minibuses, only to find them in short supply.
For those lucky enough to secure a ride, fares remained steep. While some routes maintained usual rates, others saw prices double or even triple. Chichi, a commuter from Pencinema, Ogba, lamented paying N400 instead of the usual N200 fare to Ikeja, reflecting a 100% increase attributed to the fuel scarcity.
Similarly, Tolulope faced a forty-minute delay on her journey from Iyana Oworo to Allen in Ikeja, arriving late to work and paying an extra N200 due to inflated fares.
The disparity in fuel prices adds to commuters’ woes. While some areas reported fuel selling at N700 to N1,000 per litre, others saw prices soar as high as N1,500 on the black market. Drivers cited difficulties in obtaining petrol as the reason for increased fares, with some forced to resort to expensive alternatives.
The ongoing fuel crisis exacerbates existing transportation challenges in Lagos, posing significant hardships for residents reliant on public transit. As commuters grapple with higher costs and longer waits, the need for swift resolution of the fuel scarcity becomes increasingly urgent.
