Commercial taxi drivers and tricycle operators clashed in Akure, the capital of Ondo state, over an increase in transportation fees prompted by an increase in petrol pump prices.
The taxi drivers who stopped traffic on the popular Oba Adesida/Oyemekun road on Friday accused commercial tricyclists of picking up passengers for less than the rate established by the drivers’ union.
The drivers’ union had set the price of a journey from FUTA Northgate to Oja-Oba at N300, as opposed to the previous price of N200, which the commercial motorcyclists continued to charge, which enraged the drivers.
As a result of the development, commercial drivers took to the highways and began discharging people being transported by commercial tricyclists.
Many passengers, notably workers on their way to work, were stranded as they resolved to use ‘okada’ to their offices and destinations.
According to the Daily Post, some taxi drivers stated that they would be in debt if they allowed professional tricyclists to continue picking up customers at the agreed-upon sum.
Lekan Oluduro, one of the cab drivers, stressed that they were not fighting the tricyclists, but wanted to guarantee that they agreed to pick up customers at the new fixed cost, especially because they now buy petrol for N500 per litre.
“We have gathered here because passengers are unwilling to pay the new prices of N300 or N200 per drop,” he explained. Tricycle riders are charging N200 per passenger instead of N300.”
Another driver, Sesan Akinkunmi, stated that they cannot achieve a daily balance of N4000 if they purchase 30 litres of fuel every day for N15,000.
Some tricycle riders claimed that because there was free competition, the minor price changes would benefit them.
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