Air Fares Soar as Transport Costs Divide

A recent report from the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has revealed a stark contrast in transportation costs across the country.

While air travel becomes increasingly expensive, commuters using city buses and motorcycles are experiencing decreased fares.

Air fares skyrocketed by 25.51 per cent in August 2024, reaching N123,700.14 for specified routes, up from N98,560.28 in July.

This represents a whopping 56.56 per cent year-on-year increase from N79,011.38 in August 2023.

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In contrast, city bus fares dropped by 7.77 per cent to N869.35 in August, down from N942.61 in July.

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This decline of 34.95 per cent from N1,336.38 in August 2023 may be attributed to easing inflationary pressures.

Intercity bus journeys saw a modest 0.59 per cent increase to N7,159.00 in August, up from N7,117.17 in July.

However, this represents a 20.97 per cent year-on-year rise from N5,918.18 in August 2023.

Motorcycle commuters faced an 8.46 per cent fare hike to N524.22 in August, while waterway transportation costs rose by 3.30 per cent to N1,449.34.

These diverging trends suggest continued inflationary pressures on longer-distance travel, potentially exacerbated by the Federal Government’s plans to increase charges amid airline operators’ complaints of multiple taxation.