The over 100% increase forced some riders, who were returning to their workplaces after the Christmas and New Year break, to make a U-turn and go back home as they could not afford the new fares.
Investigations have shown that passengers in Owerri, Imo State heading for Lagos, Abuja, and other cities in the North were among those mostly affected.
Before the break, motorists had to pay from N3,000 to N3,500; now, they are forced to pay N6,500 minus charges on luggage no matter how light the luggage is.
A passenger who identified himself as Ikechukwu, said, "I had to go back to my village because of the high increase of transport fare. Can you imagine that before Christmas, we used to pary N3,400 from Abuja to Owerri in Peace Mass Transit [PMT]? But when I got to their pack, they were charging N6,500 to Abuja.
"Some of us could not afford that amount. You know, we have spent all we had for the Christmas. We pleaded with them but nobody was ready to listen. I have to go back to my village so that I can look for money."
"I think it just wickedness. Government did not increase fuel price, police are not disturbing drivers on the road, why should people be so wicked, especially in Igboland?
"I will appeal to the Government to look into this next time because people are suffering. If there is no increase in fuel, government should make sure that transporters did not increase fares," Mr. Ikechukwu said.
No explanation was given by transport company owners as to why the transport fares were increased.
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