Yuletide: FCCPC Cautions Road Transporters Against Arbitrary Fare Hikes

By Oluwakemi Kindness

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has cautioned inter-city road transport operators against arbitrary and unexplained fare increases during the ongoing yuletide travel season.

The warning on Sunday follows a surge in consumer complaints across several parts of the country over sudden hikes in transport fares.

The Commission acknowledged that seasonal demand and operational pressures may affect transport pricing but stressed that passengers are entitled to clear and timely information on fares before travel.

“Any fare adjustment must be transparently communicated and applied fairly,” the FCCPC said.

The FCCPC in a statement also noted that the complaints are coming amid reports of reductions in the pump price of premium motor spirit in some parts of the country.

While fuel cost is only one of several factors influencing transport fares, the Commission said increases that are not properly explained or disclosed raise legitimate consumer protection concerns.

Speaking on the development, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Tunji Bello, said the Commission is closely monitoring market conduct throughout the festive season.

“We have intensified engagements with transport unions, park managers and operators nationwide to encourage responsible pricing, voluntary compliance and orderly market behaviour,” Bello said.

He explained that the engagements are preventive, adding that price increases are not unlawful on their own.

However, Bello warned that practices that exploit consumers or take unfair advantage of heightened seasonal demand may attract regulatory action under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018.

“Inadequate fare disclosure, coercive conduct or coordinated pricing arrangements among operators to the detriment of consumers will be subject to strict regulatory scrutiny,” he said.

The FCCPC warned that operators found to have violated the law risk stiff penalties.

Consumers were advised to confirm fares before travel, keep proof of payment and report suspected unfair practices to the Commission via its complaint portal.