Commercial tricycle operators in Karshi, Abuja, have protested what they described as arbitrary increases in ticket fees.
Some of the operators, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday, said the new charges were excessive and were eating deep into their daily earnings.
They said the hike, combined with rising fuel costs and other operating expenses, has made it increasingly difficult for them to sustain their livelihoods.
The operators reportedly began a three-day strike in response to the recent increase in ticket fees.
One of them, Mr Kabiru Inusa, said the rise in ticket charges was the main trigger for the strike.
He explained that the fee, which previously stood at N200, was suddenly increased by the union to N500.
According to him, the combined burden of the new ticket fee and high fuel prices has become unbearable.
“We pay for tickets at every park we enter, and this adds to our burden. This is why we stopped work and are calling on the government to intervene,” he said.
Another operator, Mr Ibrahim Musa, said maintenance costs for tricycles had also gone up significantly.
He noted that spare parts and repairs were now more expensive, further reducing profits and making it harder to meet daily needs and support families.
Similarly, Mr Suleiman Danladi said harassment by some task force officials had worsened their working conditions.
He added that operators are often forced to pay unofficial charges on the road, increasing their financial strain.
Mr Idris Usman also linked the strike to the arrest of their chairman, popularly known as Ustaaz, who allegedly opposed the fee increase.
He said the ticket charges had steadily risen over time, moving from ₦100 to ₦200, and now between ₦700 and ₦800 depending on the park, which operators find unsustainable.
The operators have called on the government to step in and review the charges to allow them resume work.
Commuters have also urged both parties to resolve the dispute quickly to ease transport difficulties in the area.