For many years, the operators of Yellow buses known as Danfo have become nuisance to the public they serve.
However, since Lagosians have no choice with the mini-buses, they have to continue. But when the Governor announced recently that he intends to ban them off Lagos roads to replace them with modern buses in the centre of excellence, his announcement elicited mixed feelings.
While the commercial bus operators believe strongly that the step would force them out of Business, commuters believe the restriction would worsen public transportation in the city. Yet others described the proposal as the best revolution on Lagos roads.
The governor’s announcement unsettled many, eliciting mixed re- actions. Commercial bus operators feel the step will force them out of business. Commuters believe the restriction will worsen public transportation in the city. Yet, others described the proposal as the best revolution on Lagos roads.
Ambode told his audience:
“When I wake up in the morning and see all these yellow buses and see Okada (commercial motorcycles) and all kinds of tricycles and then we claim we are a mega city… that is not true and we must first acknowledge it is a faulty connectivity that we are running.
“Having accepted that, we have to look for the solution and that is why we want to banish Yellow buses this year. We must address the issue of connectivity that makes people to move around with ease. And that is where we are going.
“For instance, the people going from Ikorodu to CMS have started leaving their cars at home because the buses are very convenient and so, why can’t we do that for other places?
“Yes, we don’t have the money to do that. But, we can go to the capital market and then improve on the technology of collection of fares. That will encourage investors and then the city will change.”
The governor, who described cities as powerful forces for economic development and shared prosperity, said: ‘This is now a generally accepted fact confirmed by economic data. Cities are the world’s engines of growth, and strikingly so, in the developing world.
Under the new arrangement, the yellow buses drivers won’t lose their jobs. Already, the Ministry of Transportation is working out the logistics with representatives of the National Union of Road Transport Workers NURTW) and Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN). Consultations are ongoing on the BRP.
“There will be education, sensitisation and refreshers courses will be organised for those who would operate the high-capacity buses when they arrive. The government is not importing drivers. The ‘Spirit of Lagos’ will, however, be at the fore in whatever the government is coming up with in the new dispensation.”
According to the official, the yellow buses would still render feeder services. “They will only be restricted from plying dedicated routes”, he said.
A source said: “The new buses are to be fitted with Intelligence Transport System (ITS) gadgets. In fact, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LAMA T A) is developing a control base where buses in transit can be monitored.
“Whenever infractions – route diversion and abuses – are noticed, the ITS will trigger an alarm at the control base and managers will immediately call the erring drivers to order.”
Below are what the commuters say about the proposed ban. Enjoy it.
OKIYAN GABRIEL (Provision Seller):
To ban Danfo is not good because it is helping poor people. Stopping them from operating is not a good idea because the population of a state determines the policy of the government and not the other way round. The government should bring in the buses first before banning Danfo and should find work for the drivers to avoid people resorting to carrying guns. The Governor is doing a good job in the state but he should consider the drivers.
ADEDOKUN AZEEZ (Driver):
If the Governor bans the yellow buses, it would lead to an increase in the population of thieves because we, the drivers, don’t have other jobs to do aside driving. I would like the Governor to consider the masses in any policy he is formulating.
ADESINA ADEWALE (Driver):
It was when I could not find job that I moved to driving business. I am imploring the government to have mercy on us because this is not what he told us before we voted for him. I am begging the Governor to consider us because he earlier told us to be safety and security conscious.
FALOLA OLADELE (Driver, Secretary of Sabo Park):
Since I heard about the proposition by the Governor, my blood pressure has been rising because I have been thinking of how I would feed my wife and four children. How could the Governor consider banning yellow buses, when we were the ones who voted him into power? I have all my vehicle particulars in order to avoid going against the police or the government. I am imploring the Governor not to carry out this action for the sake of our families.
OBEKE RASHEED (Driver):
What Governor Ambode is planning to do is going against the norms. I think it is what he met on ground he should stick with.
GOD’S GRACE (Plastic Seller):
It is a good thing banning the yellow buses, taking into consideration the drivers’ reckless driving habits. But at the same time, the Governor should provide means of livelihood for them. It is important to provide job opportunities for the drivers to prevent them engaging in activities detrimental to themselves and the society.
ADEBISI PHILIPs (Driver):
One doesn’t stop the other. If the Governor brings in new buses, he shouldn’t ban the yellow buses because we drivers have families to cater for. He should allow us to operate side by side with the new buses; it is now left for people to choose which buses they want to enter. It is not good banning yellow buses for the new ones.
LATEEF AJUMOBI (Driver):
I attest to the fact that Governor Ambode is working, but in Yoruba land, if you want to collect something from someone, it is important you replace it with another. Those feeding from transport business are numerous. So, if the government should implement that decision, it will affect so many people. As a graduate, after searching for a job to no avail, I decided to go into transport business and I am very happy that I did. I know that the Governor may be thinking that it is only hooligans and touts that are into the profession, but it is not so. I am imploring the Governor to get us good jobs if they are going to ban yellow buses in Lagos.
SIKIRU ADEYEMO (Driver):
The yellow buses have been operating since the Jakande era. Governor Ambode also boarded these buses while growing up; so, there is no point in banning them. Banning them would lead to increase in crime rates. He should remember that he would stop being the government of the state in the nearest future.
AFOLABI GANIYU:
Whatever the government does is good because I believe is for the benefit of the people. The government should also consider people feeding from the transport business. So, I suggest that the Governor should put palliative measures in place to cater for the drivers of the yellow buses.
SAMSON:
The decision is a good one considering the nuisance caused by those buses on our roads. Some of those drivers smoke and drink, which expose their passengers to danger. He should make sure that there are enough buses to serve the people of Lagos.
CHIBIKE OKORO:
The government should ensure that the decision is in the interest of the people. It should be for the good of Lagosians.
MRS. FELICIA ALABI:
I am happy with the government’s policy because it is the peace of this country we want. So, the government should consider the plight of the yellow drivers in the event of such ban and make things easy and comfortable for them.
- CHARLES MADU:
We can see the level of security the blue buses have brought to Lagos, including discipline. If more buses are brought in, it is good. It is important that alternative measures should be on ground to take care of the yellow buses to avoid multiplicity of problems in terms of crimes and insecurity. It is a good development; it is good for the image of the people and it is good for the security of the state. Governor Ambode is doing well and he is moving in the right direction.
LAWAL SAHEED:
It is a good move but the Governor should replace the yellow buses with the same number of new buses to avoid commuters being stranded at bus stops. The government should also ensure that the new buses are durable. The yellow buses should only be banned from the major roads but they should be allowed to operate in the hinterlands.
AHMED ADELEKAN:
I am comfortable with the blue buses. It is a good idea and portends developments. The Governor should ensure that the fares are reasonable because of the economic situation in the country.
KOLA OFIOHAMA:
If the Governor should ban the yellow buses, he should provide jobs for the transport workers (drivers). Considering the economic situation of the country, banning the yellow buses is not too good. The drivers should be provided with another source of livelihood to avoid increase in crime rates in the state.