The National Union of Road Transport Worker has said that ‘we will have to increase our transport fares’ if  the government does not help to subsidise the cost of those passengers that they will not be carrying.

This is coming after the announcement that the interstate travel ban will be lifted from 1st July , but transport workers are expected to carry only 50 percent capacity.

Reacting to the lift on interstate travels, Kabiru Yau, NURTW acting general secretary, thanked the government for the lift as that will enable their workers earn salaries and take care of their families.

He added that since they won’t be carrying full capacity the income of their workers will be slashed and in order to make up for this , there will be likely increase in transport fares.

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.”