The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report on transport fare prices across the country has revealed that the average cost of intra-city bus fare dropped by 3.96 per cent in July 2023.
According to the report titled Transport Fare Watch (July 2023), the average fare paid by commuters for bus journeys within the city per drop increased by 3.96 per cent from N1,285.41 in June 2023 to N1,336.29 in July 2023.
On a year-on-year basis, it rose significantly by 121.69 per cent from N602.77 in July 2022.
For intercity bus journeys, the average fare per drop rose to N5,919.49 in July 2023, indicating a month-on-month increase of 4.10 per cent compared to N5,686.49 in June 2023, while on a year-on-year basis, the fare increased by 57.50 per cent from N3,758.46 in July 2022.
The report further showed that the average fare paid by air passengers for specified routes single journey increased by 0.17 per cent from N78,640.54 in June 2023 to N78,775.74 in July 2023 and on a year-on-year basis, it rose by 29.54 per cent from N60,811.54 in July 2022.
For motorcycle (okada) transportation, the average transport fare paid was N646.12 in July 2023, which was 4.46 per cent higher than the rate recorded in June 2023 (N618.52).
On a year-on-year basis, the fare rose by 48.42 per cent compared to July 2022 (N435.07).
The average fare paid for water transport in July 2023 increased to N1,406.70 from N1,366.22, indicating a monthly increase of 2.96 per cent from June 2023, while on a year-on-year basis, the fare increased by 45.65 per cent from N965.82 in July 2022.
Bauchi and Jigawa states had the highest fares for intra-city transport in July 2023 (N1,700.00 and N1,620.00, respectively), while Adamawa had the lowest (N850.00), followed by Osun (N1,100.00).
Abuja recorded the highest intercity bus travel fare (N8,525.37), followed by Anambra (N8,050.95), and the lowest fare was in Kwara (N3,520.00), followed by Zamfara (N3,750.03).
For air transport, Delta had the highest charges (N87,000.00), followed by Kebbi (N83,500.00), while Abia had the lowest fare (N70,000.01), followed by Niger (N73,000.00).
Lagos state had the highest motorcycle transport fare in July 2023 (N900.00), followed by Taraba (N850.50). The lowest fare was recorded in Edo (N300.00), followed by Bayelsa (N350.00).
Rivers had the highest water transport fare (N5,100.00), followed by Bayelsa (N4,600.00). The lowest fare was recorded in Borno (N475.00), followed by Gombe (N500.00).
The South-South had the highest intra-city fare (N1,435.09), followed by the North-West (N1,352.89), while the South-West had the lowest (N1,245.04), while for intercity bus travel, the South-East had the highest fare (N6,410.30), followed by the South-West (N6,108.39), while the North-Central had the lowest (N5,563.74).
For air transport, the North-East had the highest air transport fare (N80,900.00), followed by the South-South (N80,083.33), while the North-Central had the lowest (N76,357.14).
“The North-East and South-West had the highest motorcycle transport fares (N711.12 and N710.04, respectively), while the North-West had the lowest (N498.60).
“The South-South had the highest water transport fare (N3,658.43), followed by the South-West (N1,300.02), while the North-East had the lowest (N787.70),” it added.
