Abuja residents have accepted the prohibition of mini-buses in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and moved on. What is taking the place of the buses, however, has not filled the city with wholesale joy. The new yellow-and-blue metro taxis represent different things to different people. Some love them. Others loathe them.
The cars, manufactured by one of the leading brands, Chevrolet, were initially a welcome development to all, until some commercial drivers began to grumble, despite their classic, new and appealing features.
Commuters’ grumbling subsided as the taxis, whether painted or not, were preferred to the ‘long buses.’
Introduced about two months after the mini-buses were stopped from plying the routes of Abuja, the middle class wholly gave the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) a pass mark. This could be attributed to its newness and factory-fitted air conditioning system, among other features.
High capacity buses are in short supply, causing commuters to wait endlessly at bus stops. The introduction of the cabs was a relief to them.
Few operators often take advantage of the situation by carrying four passengers at the rear seat with another passenger at the front. Perhaps, the drivers would have occupied the front seat with two passengers but for the fear of law enforcement agencies; especially officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
Motorists in the territory would have keyed to this new initiative but for the pains which seem more than its gains. The seemingly exorbitant cost of acquiring a unit of such car is another disturbing factor.
The new taxes launched by the Federal Government are painted green and yellow, with Sure-P and other identification numbers emblazoned on them.
Abuja Review gathered that each of the cabs costs N2.6 million on hire purchase basis. Monthly return is N64,000. The payment is a continuous one until the total cost is defrayed. While some frowned at the cost and limited time frame for the refund, others saw it as a rare opportunity.
In a chat with one of the operators, it was revealed that applicants for the cabs were expected to make initial payment of N130, 000 to meet the basic requirement.
Apart from the monthly installment, another condition required to purchase the blue-and-yellow Chevrolet car is that, the buyer provides a guarantor who is of level 14 in the public service.
According to one of the cab operators who spoke to Abuja Review in confidence, the FCTA has the absolute right to withhold papers of the car until full payment is made. In situations where payment is not made within the stipulated time, the FCTA offers an additional grace of two weeks before appropriate sanction will be taken.
“We are trying our best to make sure that we meet up with the payment. But we know it is not easy. Not that government will collect the car back; it will give like two weeks after the deadline before it takes action.”
Another operator, Mr. Joshua said that the newness of the car presents any serious-minded individual the opportunity to refund the cost of purchase and make more profit within two years. He stated that he borrowed the car from a friend a day before our correspondent met him. He said he drove a customer to the airport and made double profit of what he would have made if it were to be his Mazda taxi car.
According to him, passengers are naturally attracted to the car because of its newness and they are always willing to pay more. He further observed that its air-conditioning feature attracts passengers.
But Mr. Lamidi Alebiosu had a different view. As for him, the product is not best for commercial purpose and may not stand the test of time. Except the car is driven by the individual who run the business, it may develop fault virtually on a weekly basis.
He narrated recent records of accidents the cars had shortly after it was introduced. According to him, the result has been a total write-off.
Alebiosu said: “The cars are neat, no doubt. But how can we use that kind of car for commercial purpose? The car is not strong! Today, two of those cars got accident. If you see the extent of damage on the cars, you will believe that N2.6 million is not worth the price of these cars?”
It was gathered that the cars were released to buyers with inbuilt trackers to monitor their movements for security and safety reasons. Operations of the taxi, according to some of the operators, are also restricted to the FCT.
“Any form of operation outside the territory will automatically lock the car. This will help protect such cars against car theft and other forms of illegal usage.”
Ugor, a driver, who acquired his car two days earlier, said it is the expectations of operators that they will suffer less attack from police.
“As it is now, this car has some advantages. One of it is that police would not impound any of them. The worst they would do is to ask you to ‘move your car,” he said.
Investigation has shown that, apart from their costs, the cars are not sufficient enough to meet demands of commuters.
A staff of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) who expressed an interest to acquire the car observed that the cars were insufficient, adding that those available are less than 300.
However, Abuja Review gathered that all taxi drivers have been mandated to adhere to the FCTA new transport policy, failure of which attracts stopping the car from operating.
The deadline, according to the source, will be October 2013. “It is compulsory because, by October, government will ban these taxis painted in green-and-white from plying the roads.”
However, if the administration must ensure affordability and sustainability of the new taxi policy, there is need to simplify the processes, subsidise procurement of spare parts of the cars and reduce the cost to encourage the people to purchase more of the cabs in order to address transport challenges in the capital city.