Checks across major motor parks in Kano have revealed wide variations in inter-state transport fares, with many travellers complaining of arbitrary price hikes despite warnings from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
At the Kano Line motor park, fares remain relatively moderate, according to park officials. Passengers travelling to Kaduna currently pay N6,000, while trips to Zaria cost N4,000.
Transport fares to Abuja range between N10,000 and N15,000, and travellers heading to Jos pay up to N10,000. Officials at the park insist there has been no pre-Yuletide increase in fares.
A different pricing structure is observed at the Uguwa Uku motor park, where passengers traveling in Hummer buses to Lagos and Port Harcourt pay approximately N30,000 each. A car trip from Kano to Abuja at the park costs approximately N18,000.
The National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) in Kano says cheaper alternatives exist.
A Kano-based commander of the association, Nura Abdullahi, explained that passengers using federal government-provided Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses pay lower fares, with trips to Lagos costing N20,000 and journeys to Abuja priced at N8,000.
Meanwhile, significantly higher fares are recorded at the luxurious motor park along the Hotoro Eastern Bypass.
Inter-state transporters there have increased the fare from Kano to Onitsha to N60,500, up from N35,000. Operators attribute the hike to poor road conditions along the Lokoja area, insecurity, low return patronage, and increased travel demand during the festive period.
A booking clerk at one of the transport companies, Chinedu Victor, says travellers who departed Onitsha on Saturday only arrived in Kano by Monday morning, describing the trip as a full-day journey due to road challenges.
However, not all operators agree with the justification for the fare increase. An assistant manager at another transport company in the park, identified as Femi, blames the situation on the influx of booking agents, lack of effective price control, and what he described as greed among some transporters.
Femi argues that the increases are unjustified, noting that there has been no corresponding rise in the price of gas, and adding that federal government-supported CNG buses currently transport passengers from Kano to Lagos at N29,000, further questioning the sharp disparity in fares.
The FCCPC has repeatedly warned transport operators against exploitative pricing, especially during festive periods, urging passengers to report cases of unfair fare hikes.
