Thousands of commuters were stranded on Monday on Ikorodu Road as staff of LAGBUS (red buses) protested the Lagos State Government’s ban on them from plying the Ikorodu corridor.

Metronaija gathered that LAGBUS staff vent their anger on government’s decision to bar them from plying the route by attacking BRT (blue buses) and vandalized 20 of them as well as blocked the expressway to prevent the blue buses from working.

On Friday, the Lagos State Government banned LAGBUS from plying the Ikorodu Road corridor with effect from today.

Many commuters were stranded as the BRT buses were inadequate to convey them to and from their destinations.

Drivers and ticketers of LAGBUS took to the highway at Majidun to protest the ban on their vehicle from plying the dedicated BRT lanes across the state.

The protesters were seen displaying leaves in front of the State depot for LAMATA Blue BRT buses Terminal at Majidun in Ikorodu.

The development had caused heavy gridlock from Majidun to Benson bus stop. Commuters complained of the hardship they were made to go through because of the withdrawal of the buses from the route.

The drivers and the ticketers with leaves in their hands vowed to trek from Ikorodu to the State House at Alausa to press home their demand.

Managing Director, Primero Transport Services, Fola Tinubu said the BRT were working and that it was LAGBUS staff that had embarked on strike because they were banned from plying the route.

According to him, the protesters had damaged 20 BRT buses to express their grievances.

Residents of Ikorodu want the Management of Lagos Metropolitan Transportation Authority, LAMATA, to release more buses to Ikorodu axis of the State as commuters were stranded at various bus stops.

According to them, the need for more buses became imperative to address the suffering people experience daily in an attempt to of board buses to their respective places of work.

One of them, Mr Kehinde Lawal said the recent directive of the Lagos State Acting Commissioner for Transportation, Prince Anofiu Elegushi banning the red buses from the axis further worsen the situation.

The absence of LAGBUS from Ikorodu to Ketu, conveying passengers has, however, led to hike in transport fare by the commercial yellow buses.

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/11/lagbus-ban-ikorodu-staff-protest-news.html

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

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