Otu Slashes Transport Tickets, Traffic Fines in Cross River
Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has approved a reduction in transport ticket rates and traffic related fines in the Calabar metropolis following concerns raised by commercial transport operators and residents.
The governor announced the measures after convening a meeting with relevant authorities and stakeholders to review issues surrounding transport tickets, penalties and enforcement practices within the state capital.
According to him, the new directives are aimed at easing the burden on commercial drivers while restoring fairness, order and transparency in the transport system.
Under the new arrangement, the daily ticket for commercial buses has been reduced from ₦850 to ₦500. The penalty for failure to purchase the ticket has also been adjusted to ₦10,000, while all traffic related fines have been reduced by 50 percent.
The governor also approved a reduction in ticket rates for tricycle riders from ₦1,200 to ₦500.
In addition, enforcement officers have been directed to operate strictly in proper uniforms and carry verifiable identification to ensure professionalism and accountability in the discharge of their duties.
As part of the reforms, the Commercial Transport Regulatory Agency will now focus strictly on the registration of commercial vehicles and the sale of tickets at approved rates.
Similarly, the Traffic Management and Regulatory Agency will limit its operations to its statutory responsibility of traffic management, while the activities of the Vehicle Inspection Office have been restricted to its offices.
The governor further announced that mini bus drivers and tricycle operators will no longer be required to purchase tickets on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays as part of measures introduced under the administration’s Season of Sweetness initiative.
However, tricycle riders are required to end their operations by 6:00 p.m. as night operations remain permanently prohibited.
Governor Otu said the new directives will take effect from Monday, March 9, 2026, and urged transport operators and members of the public to cooperate with the relevant agencies in order to build a transport system that is fair, orderly and beneficial to all residents of the state.
