Christmas has come early for transporters plying the ever-busy Oshodi-Apapa road following traffic gridlock caused by long vehicles. To this effect, bus drivers and motorcyclists have increased their fares by over 100 per cent. Before today, 14 seater buses used to charge N100 from Mile two to Oshodi and Airport road, but now charge N200, while motorcyclists that used to charge N500 to carry passengers to Apapa now charge between N800 to N1000.

Speaking with irukkanews, some of the bus drivers said that they decided to hike the fare because of the long hours they spend on traffic. According to them, increase in the price of petroleum products is not the only reason why transporters increase fare. They said when they are in traffic, they burn more fuel than when the road is free. According to them, they are not happy with the increase in fare but that they cannot help it.

They said that they are aware that the increase in fare is a burden to passengers but that government should try to find solution to the perennial traffic congestion along Oshodi-Apapa road. Chike Obiala, a bus driver said,

"We are not happy with the increase in transport fare but we cannot help it. If you check, we have been on the same spot for more than one hour now because trailers have blocked the road. It is fuel that we are burning, therefore, we have to find a way to get back the money we are spending. We know that things are very difficult for everybody, but there is nothing we can do.

Contributing Idris Alakaiye, another bus driver said that governor Ambode should set up a task force that would be monitoring the movement of tankers plying Oshodi-Apapa road, according to him,the drivers of the tankers behave as if they are above the law. He said that it is only drastic action that could Lagosians from the clutches of tanker drivers.

http://irukkanews.com/xmas-in-november-for-transporters-as-long-vehicles-take-over-oshodiapapa-r-p3460-95.htm

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