15 hospitalised, 10 buses vandalised as commuters protest LAGBUS ban on Ikorodu Road
Commuters, this morning, Monday November 7 2016 reacted angrily to the ban of LAGBUS Asset Management, the operators of the popular red mass transport buses from plying the every busy Ikorodu Road Bus Raid Transit (BRT) route leaving over 15 commuters, including drivers of Primero Bus Services, operator of Bus Rapid Transit, BRT while 12 BRT buses were allegedly vandalised by the protesters made up mainly of miscreants popularly known as Area boys.
The state government had, through Acting Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Anofiu Elegushi, at a media briefing in Alausa, Ikeja, at the weekend, announced the ban of LAGBUS buses, from plying Ikorodu Bus Rapid Transit, BRT corridor, saying plans have been concluded to introduce Intelligent Traffic System along BRT corridor. Elegushi said the move was part of the state government’s to boost commuters experience along the corridor.
He had explained that from Monday, November 7, all LAGBUS buses would no longer be allowed to utilise the BRT corridor to load or drop passengers. But they can use the road like other private vehicles. The Acting Commissioner lamented that the present arrangement has constrained the capacity of the BRT bus services to cater for the people.
His words “The restriction does not extend to charter staff buses run by LAGBUS; does not preclude access to depot along Ikorodu road and express services are allowed with only few designated stops. All routes from Ikorodu hinterland will now terminate at TOS Benson Bus Stop after which there will be no loading of passengers.
“However, the operations of LAGBUS buses have been moved to other 14 routes identified by the Lagos State Metropolitan Transport Master plan.”
He assured residents that in the aftermath of this, the state government has concluded arrangement to allocate new routes to the operator of LAGBUS franchise.
Apparently, reacting to the development, drivers and officials that sell tickets to commuters of the LABUS embarked on an indefinite strike even as miscreants and other irate commuters took the road barring BRT buses from operation as well.
The development led to the withdrawal of commercial buses along Ikorodu Road forcing commuters to trek long distances while motorists were stuck in the attendant traffic gridlock.
A source at Primero headquarters in Ikorodu, who preferred anonymity, said the injured are currently receiving treatment at various hospitals, while the vandalised buses have been brought to the BRT Yard.
When contacted, Director, Public Affairs of Lagos Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, LAMATA, Mr. Kolawole Ojelabi, confirmed the report, saying, “the situation has been brought under control as policemen have restored normalcy.”
Credit: Vanguard
