By Abasi Ita
Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has approved a reduction in transport ticket fees and traffic related fines in Calabar following complaints from commercial transport operators and residents over existing charges and enforcement practices.
The decision followed a meeting convened by the governor with relevant authorities and stakeholders to review issues surrounding transport ticketing, penalties and enforcement activities within the Calabar metropolis.
Announcing the new measures, the governor said the reforms are intended to reduce the financial pressure on commercial drivers while promoting fairness, transparency and order in the state’s transport system.
Under the new directive, the daily ticket for commercial buses has been reduced from ₦850 to ₦500. The penalty for failing to obtain the ticket has been set at ₦10,000, while all traffic related fines have been slashed by 50 percent.
Ticket fees for tricycle operators have also been reduced from ₦1,200 to ₦500.
Governor Otu further directed that all enforcement officers must operate strictly in proper uniforms and carry verifiable identification to ensure accountability and professionalism during enforcement operations.
He also clarified the operational roles of relevant transport agencies in the state. According to him, the Commercial Transport Regulatory Agency will focus on the registration of commercial vehicles and the sale of tickets at approved rates.
The Traffic Management and Regulatory Agency will restrict its activities to traffic control and management, while the Vehicle Inspection Office will now carry out its operations strictly within its offices.
As part of additional relief measures, the governor announced that mini bus drivers and tricycle operators will no longer be required to purchase tickets on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
However, tricycle riders are required to end their operations by 6:00 p.m. as night operations remain permanently banned.
The governor said the new directives will take effect from Monday, March 9, 2026, and called on transport operators and members of the public to support the government’s efforts to build a more efficient and orderly transport system in the state.