Abuja Tricycle Fares Jump by N100 to N200 as Petrol Hits N1,450 Per Litre

Commercial tricycle operators across several Federal Capital Territory routes raised fares by between N100 and N200 on Sunday after petrol prices at filling stations climbed to between N1,410 and N1,450 per litre.

The hikes follow an N85 increase in Dangote Petroleum Refinery's gantry price, which moved from N1,265 to N1,350 per litre. Global crude markets added pressure, with Brent crude trading at about $103.21 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate at around $100 per barrel.

What Commuters Now Pay

On the Gudu to Lokogoma Junction route, passengers now pay N300, up from N200. The Kabusa Junction to Apo Roundabout fare rose from N300 to N400, while Dutse Express to Tipper Garage Junction now costs N500 instead of N400.

In Nyanya, the trip from Nyanya Junction to City College now costs N500. In Lugbe, the Chika Bridge fare doubled from N100 to N200. Passengers travelling from Kubwa Village Junction to Byazim now pay N400.

Operators Explain the Increase

Saidu Mohamed, who operates in Kubwa, said petrol prices and the rising cost of spare parts made it impossible to hold fares at previous levels.

Haruna Abdullahi said he bought petrol at N1,430 per litre in Dutse, describing the cost as a direct hit on his income. Ibrahim Dauda, who works in Kabusa and also bought fuel at N1,430 per litre at an AY Shafa filling station, said the effects of expensive petrol go beyond transport, with businesses and households also feeling the strain.

Residents Squeezed

Daniel Aaron, a Kubwa commuter, said: "I find it very difficult to move around for my daily bread again because of the increase in transportation."

Tony Akinbode said he had cut back on how often he goes out, and that traders at the markets were also reporting higher costs linked to fuel prices. He called on the Federal Government to act.

Jimoh Bashir, also in Kubwa, said commuters travelling to offices, schools and markets were being forced to revise their daily budgets, often with little warning from operators.

The increases come as the government's plan to cut intra-state transport fares through Compressed Natural Gas and electric vehicles faces pressure. Fares on busy Lagos routes have shown no sign of falling ahead of the October 1 deadline. Commuters from Sango-Ota to Oshodi pay between N1,500 and N1,700, while the Atan-Ota to Abule-Egba or Agege corridor costs N1,200 to N1,500. The Sango-Abeokuta trip costs about N2,000, and Ojodu Berger to Ibadan is roughly N2,500.

For Abuja residents, the fare hikes mean a direct cut into daily disposable income, with transport now eating a bigger share of household budgets. Until pump prices ease, tricycle operators say there is little room to absorb costs.