Cross River State Reduces Transport Ticket Charges

Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State announced a significant reduction in transport ticket charges for commercial drivers, aiming to ease the financial burden on them. The daily ticket fee for commercial buses has been slashed from ₦850 to ₦500, while penalties for failing to purchase tickets have been adjusted to ₦10,000.

Additionally, the ticket charges for tricycle riders have been reduced from ₦1,200 to ₦500. The governor emphasized that Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs) will now be restricted to office operations, ensuring a more organized transport system.

This decision follows a meeting with relevant stakeholders to address concerns raised by commercial transport operators in Calabar metropolis regarding ticket fine enforcement practices. The new regulations will take effect on March 9, 2026, and tricycle riders will be exempt from purchasing tickets on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, although they must cease operations by 6 PM.

Governor Otu urged transport operators to cooperate with relevant agencies to maintain an orderly transport system.