Bus drivers operating at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) have expressed concerns over low passenger turnout and rising operational costs, despite fixed fares agreed with the Students’ Union.
One of the drivers, Mr. Oludare Sunday, acknowledged the support of the Students’ Union and university management, but lamented that their earnings are being eroded by high fuel prices and vehicle maintenance expenses.
Transport fares are currently pegged at ₦400 from Camp to Campus Gate and Bus Stop, and ₦200 for movement within the university. The drivers said the arrangement, fixed through negotiations with student leaders, ensures affordability for students but leaves them with slim profit margins.
They explained that even with steady patronage, many drivers struggle to make up to ₦5,000 in daily profit after covering fuel, ticketing, and repairs. “By the time you calculate expenses, you may not even have ₦5,000 left for yourself,” one of the drivers said.
The operators, however, noted that the restriction of commercial motorcyclists within the university has boosted student reliance on buses, which remain the primary means of transport on campus.
They praised students for their cooperation and patience, while appealing to management to engage with drivers to ease their challenges.
The drivers also called for government policies to cushion the impact of fuel costs on small-scale transport operators, stressing that their work remains vital to the smooth running of academic life at FUNAAB.
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