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Protest in Lagos over ban of LAGBUS on BRT corridor along Ikorodu road (photos & video)

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The Lagos State Government on Friday, November 4, 2016, banned LAGBUS (red buses) from plying the Ikorodu Road corridor with effect from today.

The state government said the decision was to introduce Intelligent Traffic System along the BRT corridor, and that all other franchises, apart from the BRT (blue buses) had to relocate from the corridor.

However, it was a nightmare for residents of Ikorodu, this morning when it was brought to their notice that the red bus drivers and hoodlums shut down the BRT Lanes, hindering Blue buses from operating.

The ban has left people plying Ilorodu -Mile 12-Ketu- Ojota-Maryland-Oshodi route, stranded since 6am.

As a result, some of the commuters plying these routes early Monday protested the fact that LAGBUS are not allowed to use BRT lane anymore.

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Also, it was gathered that the LAGBUS franchise employees staged a protest along the Ikorodu-Majidun Awori’s route.

We learnt that some 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.

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.

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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.

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

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Below are photos and video of the protest as shared on Twitter:

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The acting Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Olarenwaju Elegushi, said all LAGBUS buses could only provide end to end bus services using the expressway and service lanes along the Ikorodu road stretch.

He said the state government was determined to enhance and boost commuters’ experience along the corridor, adding that the present arrangement had constrained the capacity of the BRT bus services to cater for the people.

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