South-South records highest water fares as commuters shift to road

The South-South region has emerged as the most expensive area for water transportation, with fares averaging N3,643.36 over two months, according to the latest Transport Fare Watch report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

This development comes as rising costs push more commuters to rely on road transport, particularly state government buses and trains in Lagos, despite worsening traffic congestion.

The report said Bayelsa state recorded the highest water transport fares at N4,600, followed by Delta state at N4,280. In contrast, Borno state had the lowest fares at just N480, with Gombe state following at N630.

A regional breakdown showed that the South-West ranked second in water transport costs, with an average fare of N1,470.73, while the North-East had the lowest average fare at N845.99.

In Lagos, where thousands rely on ferries to beat road traffic, fare hikes have been particularly severe. The NBS report indicated that water transport fares rose by 10 per cent over the past year, with a 0.67 per cent increase recorded in November alone. Key routes such as CMS to Ikorodu, Apapa to Marina and Mile 2 to Badagry have seen fares nearly doubled due to increasing operational expenses.

A visit by The Guardian to the Apapa-Marina ferry route revealed a decline in passenger numbers, with ferries waiting extended periods to fill up, a stark contrast to previous schedules that ensured timely departures and arrivals.

Many commuters are now opting for Lagos State government buses and trains, which offer cheaper alternatives. Ferry operators attribute the rising fares to surging fuel prices, high maintenance costs, and a lack of government subsidies. A boat operator, Babajide Akinwale, who runs a fleet between Apapa and Marina, defended the fare adjustments, citing escalating operational expenses.

“Diesel and petrol prices have almost doubled in the last year. Maintaining boats, servicing engines, and getting spare parts have all become very expensive. We can’t continue running at a loss, so we have to pass some of the cost to passengers,” he explained.

Across different jetties in Lagos, commuters expressed frustration over the fare hikes, with many struggling to afford daily transportation costs. Oludare Taylor, who commutes between Ikorodu and CMS, said he now spends nearly N2,400 daily on transport.

“If fares increase again, I might have to start enduring road traffic because water transport is no longer sustainable,” he said. Similarly, Adebola Oguntade, another Ikorodu resident working on Lagos Island, broke down his rising expenses.

“I used to pay N1,500 for a one-way trip from Ikorodu to Marina, but now it is N3,000. That is an extra N1,500 daily, meaning I now spend over N150,000 monthly just on transport,” he lamented.For Adebola Olabisi, a frequent commuter on the Tin Can-Badagry route, the price jump has been even more significant.

“I used to pay N3,500 for this route, but now I pay almost N5,000. The worst part is that the boats are overcrowded and some do not even provide life jackets. We are paying more but getting less service,” he complained.

Commuters are urging government intervention to subsidise fares, regulate pricing, and enforce safety measures to make water transportation more affordable and secure.