Fuel Scarcity: Bikes charge N300, Town Buses Fluctuate Prices

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The increase in fuel costs in Ife due to scarcity has caused a ripple effect on transportation expenses within the campus, particularly with bike fares. Following fare issues with towngboro drivers, the Students' Union issued a statement on April 28, highlighting an agreement to maintain regular bus fares until further negotiations on Tuesday.
 
While bus fare adjustments were mentioned in the statement, bike fares remained unaddressed. While bus rides continue at ₦100 from bus stop to gate and ₦150 to town, bike riders have hiked their prices to ₦300 from bus stop to gate as of April 28. One rider justified the increase, citing the elevated cost of fuel purchases.
 
The fuel scarcity has taken a toll on the residents of Ile-Ife, Osun State, especially the students of Obafemi Awolowo University. Prices have been fluctuating despite the instructions from the Student's Union against price hikes. The queues in the petrol stations and exorbitant black market prices have affected adherence to these instructions. 
 
Our correspondent reported that from Mayfair to the campus gate, a bike man demanded five hundred naira until the commuter begged to pay four hundred naira, while some buses collected three hundred naira each from Mayfair to campus, even though people had to hassle to get into the buses. Some other drivers accepted two hundred naira, while others, towards evening, started accepting a hundred and fifty naira. This questions the fairness of prices, whether they are favourable to students or to drivers. If the drivers struggle to get fuel and barely add cost of service or profit, and if the students who are barely coping with the economic downfall are distressed, what would be the balance of fairness? 
 
This sudden price hike has students and commuters feeling the financial strain of daily travel. However, there is optimism for a potential resolution in the upcoming talks with the drivers.

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