Hundreds of staff of franchise companies operating the LAGBUS (red buses) have kicked against the decision of the Lagos State Government restricting them from plying the Ikorodu corridor.
The mass strike action by the operators led to many commuters being stranded as the few BRT buses in operation, could not meet up to transportation needs of early morning rush by Lagos commuters.
The development had caused heavy gridlock from Majidun to Benson bus stop with commuters complaining of the hardship they were made to go through because of the withdrawal of the buses from the route.
The ban of all the Red Buses was announced on Friday by the acting Lagos State Government Commissioner for Transportation, Prince Anofiu Elegushi with claims that the move was in consonance with its plan to introduce Intelligent Traffic System along the BRT corridor, adding that all other franchises, apart from the BRT (blue buses) had to relocate from the corridor.
Speaking on behalf of the operators, Dayo Oni, a Lawyer, rejected the order by the Lagos State government describing it as anti-people and capable of running millions of investments aground.
Oni explained, “Some of this BRT franchise transport operators have taken loans running into hundreds of millions of naira. This anti-investment directive is now crippling business and would render thousands jobless. If you add to that the inconvenience this will cause to millions of Lagos commuters who daily depend on the buses, what you have is chaos.
He demanded, “we hereby call on Government to create a level playing ground that will favour competitive pricing among various operators. This will give commuters an opportunity to exercise their right to choice.”
It was observed that the absence of LAGBUS from Ikorodu to Ketu, conveying passengers has, however, led to more than 50% hike in transport fare by the commercial yellow buses.
Adenike Aduragbemi, a stranded mother of one who plies the route to work on Lagos Island lamented in exasperation over the unavailability of buses.
“Governor Ambode said he is running a government of compassion, please what is the compassion in this directive taken so far?
“I am late for work after waiting here for several hours today. I am calling on the Governor to rescind their anti-people decision with immediate effect.”
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