Due to the new guidelines issued by the federal government on interstate travel, the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has said it might increase its fares.
Kabiru Yau, acting secretary general of NURTW, said this while reacting to the Federal government’s lifting of the ban on interstate travel. On Monday, June 29, the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 announced it would begin interstate travel from July 1st.
The task force ‘s National Coordinator, Aliyu Sani, said Interstate travel had to be done before the national curfew of 10 pm to 4 am and that only fifty per cent of their capacity would have to be transported by vehicles.
Reacting to the new guidelines, Yalu said
“We thank the federal government for lifting the ban. It is a welcome development because it is over three months that our members have been out of jobs and without income.
At least, our people will now start working and get something to feed their families. But at the same time, due to the spacing in the vehicles which will require the drivers to carry only nine or ten instead of the usual 18 passengers, the income of the drivers will be reduced.
So we want the government to help subsidise the cost of those passengers that we will not be carrying or we will have to increase our transport fares. This is because the money that will be generated from the reduced number of passengers will barely cover the cost of fuel for the journey.
So, what is the gain? What will you give to the owner of the vehicle? So, the government should please help us look into this matter.”
Task Force Chairman Boss Mustapha also announced on Monday, June 29 that flight tickets will increase due to the latest COVID-19 flying guidelines. Among other items, aircraft are expected to carry 50 percent of their passengers in order to ensure social distance on the aircraft.
