Commuters Stranded As Commercial Bus Drivers Begin Seven-Day Strike

By Akinwale Kasali

The seven-day strike by Commercial Bus Drivers which began Monday is having a toll on commuters. They are stranded at various Bus stops and Parks, unable to get to their various destinations and work places.

The few available Commercials

Buses and Private Car owners using their vehicles for commercial purposes have hiked the fare by 100 per cent.

For instance, from Iyana Ipaja to Ikeja which was N300 increased to N500, while Iyana Ipaja to Oshodi that waa usually N300 increased to N700.

Iyana Ipaja to Yaba that was usually pegged at N400 was increased to N1000, making Commuters to resign to fate. Some were forced to go back home, some waited patiently for Buses that could be cheaper than the others.

At Ojodu Berger area of the State, Commuters were stranded at the Bus Stops with no commercial Buses in sight.

The commercial bus drivers under the aegis of the Joint Drivers Welfare Association of Nigeria, JDWAN,  commenced a seven-day boycott of Lagos roads following its failure to reach an agreement with the State Government.

The group, in a statement by its lawyer, Ayo Ademiluyi, said it had been subjected to indiscriminate extortion and violent harassment by the Management of Parks and Garages in the State.

The statement reads in part:

“As commercial drivers in Lagos State under the aegis of JDWAN, we are left with no choice than to embark on seven days of protest and boycott of services over multiple and excessive extortions by the management of parks and garages in the state.

“We have notified members of the public and the Lagos State Government over multiple and excessive extortions by the motor parks and garages management.

“The cost of transportation affects the cost of goods and services and consequently the cost of living, which has spiralled astronomically in Lagos State as a result of the effect of motor parks excessive and illegal ticketing and tolling at almost every bus stop.”

The group alleged that its members lost half of their income to motor park ticketing, stating that they get arrested whenever they refuse to pay for the tickets.

The group said: “No to charging drivers three passengers money after loading in parks or garages; we kick against paying motor park thugs at every bus stop; harassment of law enforcement agencies & intimidation with guns, cutlasses, broken bottles by LASTMA, task force and RRS must end immediately; we demand that the Lagos State Government should provide official bus stops in each community to avoid incessant arrests and stress for commuters who complain of having to trek several kilometres back to their bus stops.”