The Students Shuttle Service Committee has announced an increase in transport fares on campus and other routes in Benin, effective July 1.
The committee stated that this decision was necessary to cope with the high cost of operations due to the recent increase in pump prices of petroleum products following the removal of subsidies.
In a statement released on Saturday by Collins Obhiozele and James Olawale, secretaries of the committee and the student union, cab fares will rise from N150 to N200. Shuttle fares across Ugbowo and Ekehuan campuses will be N100, while transportation between the university and New Benin market and King Square will cost N300 and N250, respectively.
Under the new pricing, individual cab rides on UNIBEN Campus will cost N400.
The statement called for strict compliance from students and advised them to report any deviations. It also mentioned that the committee would issue warnings and establish an enforcement team to address drivers’ refusal to ply certain destinations and to prevent unauthorized fare hikes.
Additionally, the committee commended the students for their understanding and cooperation during the recent power outage at the university and assured them that steps are being taken to address the issue.
“While this compromise did not meet all the drivers’ demands, we successfully negotiated a balance between their needs and those of the students, who are also facing challenges. We addressed drivers’ refusal to visit certain destinations and authorized fare increases. The shuttle service committee has assured us that they will issue warnings and establish an enforcement team to ensure compliance,” the statement said.
