Abuja commercial tricycle riders decry ticket fee hike, fuel price

The recent surge in ticket fees for tricycle (Keke) operators in Karshi, Abuja, has sparked a three-day strike, highlighting the severe economic pressures faced by these essential transport workers. Operators like Mr. Kabiru Inusa and Mr. Ibrahim Musa voiced their frustrations to the News Agency of Nigeria, explaining that the jump from N200 to N500 per ticket, coupled with escalating fuel costs and spare parts prices, has drastically cut into their daily earnings.

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We pay for tickets at every park we enter, and this adds to our burden. This is why we stopped work and are calling on the government to intervene.

This situation is not just about ticket fees; it's a broader struggle for fair working conditions. Mr. Suleiman Danladi pointed out the added stress of harassment from task force officials and unjustified charges on the road. The arrest of their chairman, Mr. Idris Usman, who opposed the fee hike, has further angered the operators, signaling a deep disconnect between the union leadership and the rank-and-file.

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Aside from the ticket hike, the cost of maintaining tricycles had also increased. Musa explained that spare parts and repairs were now more expensive, adding that the extra cost was cutting their profits and making it difficult for them to meet daily needs and support their families.

The strike, while disruptive for commuters, underscores the precarious livelihoods of Keke riders. They are appealing to the government for a review of the charges and intervention to address their concerns. From our perspective at The Punch, this situation reflects a wider issue of rising operational costs impacting informal sector workers across Nigeria, demanding urgent attention and sustainable solutions.

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The strike was not just about ticket fees, but also about fair treatment and better working conditions for keke riders.