…Says ACHRAMS only provided transparency, clears Bolt to resume operations
LAGOS— The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has said the widely criticised N30,000 taxi fare from Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, was not newly imposed by the Authority, nor was it introduced through its Airport Car Hire Rank Management System, ACHRAMS.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, FAAN said the fares in question predated the digital platform and were not substantially different from rates previously charged at the airport.
The clarification follows public outrage after travel content creator Chris Joondeph, known as Authentic Travelling, posted a video showing a quoted fare of N30,000 for a trip from the Lagos airport to Radisson Hotel, Ikeja.
Investigation revealed that the same route was listed at N6,900 on another e-hailing platform, while Uber quoted N4,200 for UberX and N5,800 for its Priority service.
According to FAAN, ACHRAMS was introduced to sanitise and improve the management of authorised car-hire operations at airports, and not to regulate or set taxi fares.
“It is important to clarify that the fares highlighted in some of the recent public discussions were not rates newly imposed by FAAN or created by ACHRAMS,” the Authority stated.
“Airport taxi fares have existed independently of the application, and the rates themselves were not substantially different from those previously applicable. What ACHRAMS introduced was greater visibility and transparency around the prevailing airport-taxi rates, making the cost more readily apparent to passengers.”
FAAN acknowledged that comparisons with cheaper e-hailing fares on platforms such as Uber and Bolt had heightened public concern.
“FAAN recognises, however, that the comparison with the lower fares passengers had become accustomed to through e-hailing platforms understandably heightened public concern,” it said.
The Authority also announced the resolution of its operational issues with Bolt, paving the way for the e-hailing company to resume services at airports under its management.
FAAN said the reform of airport transportation was necessitated by nearly a decade of challenges including passenger solicitation, touting, random pick-ups, unregulated operations, and attendant safety and security concerns.
The Authority reiterated its commitment to fair competition in airport transportation.
“FAAN supports healthy competition and does not seek to create or promote a monopoly in airport transportation,” the statement added.
The development comes as the aviation agency continues efforts to streamline ground transportation and improve passenger experience across Nigerian airports.
