INTERSTATE TRAVEL: WE MAY INCREASE FARES FOR JOURNEYS - NURTW
The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has said it may increase the fares for journeys as a result of the reduced number of passengers it would be carrying.
Recall that the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, yesterday, announced that interstate travels would resume from July 1st.
Kabiru Yau, Acting General Secretary of the NURTW, commended the Federal Government for lifting the ban and called on the Government to subsidize operation cost for motorists.
He said the guidelines outlined by the Government for the resumption of operations amid the coronavirus pandemic require operators to carry fewer passengers on each trip, hence reducing their income.
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Yau said, “We thank the Federal Government for lifting the ban; it is a welcome development because it is over three months that our members have been out of jobs and without income.
“At least, our people will now start working and get something to feed their families.’’
The secretary added that due to the spacing in the vehicles which will require the drivers to carry only nine or ten instead of the usual 18 passengers, the income of drivers will be reduced.
“So we want the Government to help subsidize the cost of those passengers that we will not be carrying or we may have to increase our transport fares,’’ he added.
On maintaining the COVID-19 protocols, he said the union would ensure its passengers obey the NCDC and the Federal Government's protocols of mandatory use of face masks, hand santizers, etc.
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