Passengers at Nigerian airports are expressing their frustration over the rising costs and changing rules regarding airport transportation. An increasing number of travellers are turning to social media to share their complaints about expensive fares and the limited options available.
These complaints follow recent changes implemented by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) regarding the operation of commercial transport services at the airports. This includes new restrictions that have impacted Uber and Bolt pick-ups while FAAN works on establishing new operating agreements with these platforms.
For many passengers, the immediate concern is not the regulatory framework but rather the high costs associated with leaving the airport.
One traveller, who shared their thoughts on X, criticised the newly introduced taxi service, questioning FAAN’s decision to restrict Uber and Bolt while launching its own FAANTaxi app. The traveller said FAANTaxi quoted ₦30,000 for a trip from Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja to the Radisson Blu Hotel, also in Ikeja, compared with less than ₦8,000 for an Uber ride over the same distance.
Another user on X urged travellers to rate the FAAN taxi app poorly, suggesting that introducing a new platform would be pointless if passengers are still faced with what they perceive as overpriced taxi options.
Other reactions focused on competition. One user described the situation as an attempt to “kill competition”, while another said the FAAN taxi initiative would be more acceptable if passengers could still freely choose between it and existing ride-hailing platforms.
Similar read: Uber and Bolt airport ban: FAAN assures of speedy resolution
The criticism has also extended to the quality and pricing of the service itself. A review of the FAAN taxi application shared online described the fares as excessive and complained about the app’s performance and customer experience. Those claims are individual user experiences and have not been independently verified by Technext.
FAAN says Uber and Bolt are not banned amid airport taxi complaints
FAAN recently instructed Uber and Bolt to stop operating at its airports until their licensing agreements are finalised. This directive, dated July 30, asked managers to ensure compliance. However, FAAN clarified on August 20 that it hadn’t banned these services but is working with them to create a framework for safety and management.
“FAAN’s Airport Car Hire Rank Management System (ACHRAMS) is not meant to compete with Uber or Bolt; rather, it’s designed to track transport operations and manage fees. Complaints about passenger solicitation prompted the need for a more structured system.”
Despite FAAN’s explanations, passengers have complained about rising taxi fares since the disruption. Reports indicate that airport taxi rides in Abuja may cost over ₦30,000, compared to ₦20,000 for e-hailing services previously. Some travellers in Abuja are resorting to authorised taxis after difficulties with e-hailing pick-ups, while others meet drivers outside the airport.
FAAN acknowledges the inconvenience and is eager to finalise discussions with Uber and Bolt swiftly, aiming to ensure safe and convenient transportation for passengers while managing transport effectively.
Read also: FAAN suspends Bolt from airport operations over concessionary issues
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