The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reports a significant increase in the average cost of bus transportation within Nigerian cities.
In May 2023, the average fare was N649.59 but by June 2023 it had surged to N1,285.41. This represents a substantial 98% increase, equivalent to N636, within just one month.
The Transport Fare Watch report for June 2023 from the NBS provides detailed insights on breakdown of bus journeys within the cities per drop on constant routes, intercity (state route) charges per person, and other modes of transportation.
When comparing the costs year-on-year, the rise in bus fares is even more pronounced. In June 2022, commuters paid an average fare of N582.61, indicating a staggering increase of 120.63%.
Specifically, for intercity bus journeys per drop, the average fare rose to N5,686.49 in June 2023, a notable 42.09% increase compared to N4,002.16 in May 2023.
The report read, “The average fare paid by commuters for bus journeys within the city per drop increased by 97.88 per cent from N649.59 in May 2023 to N1,285.41 in June 2023. On a year-on-year basis, it rose by 120.63 per cent from N582.61 in June 2022.
“In another category, the average fare paid by commuters for bus journey intercity per drop rose to N5,686.49 in June 2023, indicating an increase of 42.09 on a month-on-month basis compared to N4,002.16 in May 2023. On a year-on-year basis, the fare rose by 55.25 per cent from N3,662.87 in June 2022.”
These figures underscore the significant economic impact of these rising transportation costs on Nigerian commuters.
