Transport crisis: Workers risk lives in pick-up trucks amid rising fares

Rising transportation costs and declining purchasing power are forcing workers in Abuja to adopt risky commuting alternatives, including travelling in open pick-up vans and charging colleagues for rides.

Workers earning around ₦70,000 monthly say transportation, feeding and accommodation expenses have become increasingly unaffordable.

According to Daily Trust, workers have increasingly resorted to alternative commuting arrangements as petrol prices continue to rise

Patience, a 28-year-old worker earning ₦77,000 monthly, said she spends approximately ₦2,000 daily on transportation and sometimes boards pick-up vans charging ₦300.

Another worker disclosed spending ₦11,000 daily on fuel, prompting him to charge colleagues for rides.

Teachers Jane Ama and Raphael Omale also reported spending ₦3,000 and ₦2,800 daily, respectively, on transportation.

Transport expert Kingsley Eze estimated Abuja requires approximately 15,000 buses to address commuting challenges.

Meanwhile, Nigeria Labour Congress President Joe Ajaero demanded a wage review, warning that inflation had significantly eroded workers’ purchasing power.