The Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Edet Otu, has approved a reduction in transport levies for commercial operators in the Calabar metropolis, slashing daily tickets for commercial buses from ₦850 to ₦500 and cutting traffic-related fines by 50 per cent NEGROIDHAVEN can say.
The decision followed recent protests by commercial bus drivers and complaints by residents over the high cost of transport tickets, excessive fines and alleged harassment by enforcement teams of transport regulatory agencies.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Linus Obogo, the governor said the measures were aimed at easing the burden on drivers while restoring order and transparency in the state’s transport system.
According to the statement, the penalty for failure to purchase the daily ticket has also been reduced to ₦10,000.
The governor further approved a reduction in ticket fees for tricycle operators from ₦1,200 to ₦500, while directing that all traffic-related fines be paid strictly into designated government accounts.
Otu also ordered a review of the operations of key transport agencies in the state, including the Commercial Transport Regulatory Agency, the Traffic Management and Regulatory Agency and the Vehicle Inspection Office.
Under the new directive, the Commercial Transport Regulatory Agency is to focus strictly on the registration of commercial vehicles, sale of tickets at approved rates and enforcement of ticket compliance, while the Traffic Management and Regulatory Agency will be limited to its statutory traffic management responsibilities.
The governor also directed that enforcement officers must operate in proper uniforms and carry verifiable identification to ensure professionalism and accountability.
In addition, the operations of the Vehicle Inspection Office have been restricted to its offices.
As part of measures to further support transport operators, the governor announced that mini-bus drivers and tricycle operators would be exempted from purchasing tickets on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
However, he directed that tricycle operators must terminate their operations by 6 p.m., noting that night operations remain permanently banned.
The new measures are expected to take effect from March 9, 2026.
Otu urged transport operators and members of the public to cooperate with the relevant agencies to ensure a fair and orderly transport system across the state.
