Abuja's Transport Crisis: Commuters Face Rising Costs

Abuja's transport system is characterized by chaos and inefficiency, significantly impacting its estimated population of 4.3 million residents. The city lacks a structured and reliable mass transit system, forcing residents to depend on informal networks such as minibuses, taxis, and tricycles, which are often expensive.

The rapid expansion of Abuja has outpaced its transport infrastructure, worsening congestion and increasing mobility costs for workers, particularly low-income earners. Public buses are scarce and poorly regulated, with high-density areas like Nyanya and Kubwa facing severe transport challenges.

Former Minister Nasir El-Rufai's administration had introduced 400 high-capacity buses through the Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company (AUMTCO), but the system has since deteriorated. Commuters now spend a significant portion of their monthly salaries on transport, with rising fuel costs further exacerbating the situation.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has promised to roll out mass transit buses, but their presence remains limited in Abuja, leaving many areas underserved.