The transportation fares applicable to the 65 buses released by the Lagos State government on new routes, to cushion effect of the ban on motorcycles and tricycles in some parts of the state, show that a commuter traveling to Ajah from Oshodi, will pay N500.
The fares on other routes as announced by the Lagos Bus Services Limited, operators of the state-owned buses are also as follows:
Ikeja – Ogba: N100, Berger – Ogba: N100, Ikeja – CMS: N200, Obalende – Ajah: N250, CMS – Ajah: N250, Inner Marina – Ajah: N250
The state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Sunday directed the management of Lagos Bus Services Limited to deploy a fleet of 65 buses along major routes from Monday, January 3, to make up for the restrictions placed on the operations of motorcycles and tricycles in the metropolis.
Major areas affected are Ikeja, Surulere, Apapa, Victoria Island, Ikoyi and some parts of Lagos Mainland.
Hundreds of commuters were left stranded on various routes on Saturday, February 1, when the restrictions took effect, thus exposing the inadequacy of Lagos transportation system.
Motorcycles and tricycles readily fill yawning gaps in the state public transportation system, especially in traffic infested areas.
But the state government believes that the buses would go a long way in ameliorating the hardship commuters are facing as a result of the restriction order on motorcycles and tricycles
Managing director of Lagos Bus Services Limited, Idowu Oguntona, said the extension of the company’s services to these new routes would help reduce the vacuum created by the motorcycles and tricycles.
He said that commuters would enjoy the pleasure and comfort of riding in the new buses along these routes, adding that more buses would be deployed by the company in the near future.
Meanwhile, angry motorcycle riders and those in solidarity with them, on Monday morning, took to the streets in Ijora/Apapa area of the metropolis to protest the restrictions placed on their operations.
They were seen making bonfires with disused tyres around Ijora-Olopa area, and calling on the state government to rescind its decision. The protesters were eventually chased away by a detachment of police operatives deployed to restore calm in the area.
Joshua Bassey
