A Lagos-based journalist, Akeem Alao, has raised concerns over the conduct of commercial bus drivers operating across Lagos roads, describing their activities as reckless, deceptive and frustrating for commuters.
In a statement detailing his experiences with public transportation in the state, Alao lamented that many Lagos residents who rely on the popular yellow commercial buses are often subjected to unnecessary stress and repeated changes of vehicles before reaching their destinations.
According to him, commuters travelling from Ikorodu Garage to Stadium in Surulere frequently board buses advertised as direct trips, only for drivers to terminate the journey midway and transfer passengers to other vehicles.
“Both the driver and the conductor would have already agreed on a plan. They will keep calling Ojuelegba, Barracks, Stadium and Costain. Innocent passengers, including myself, will board innocently. Without informing anyone, the driver suddenly turns under the bridge at Mile 12. All passengers are then transferred into another bus heading towards the same destination,” he said.
The journalist explained that passengers are sometimes forced to board up to four different buses before arriving at their destinations.
“Several times on my journey from Ikorodu Garage to Stadium, I have boarded at least three buses I never planned for,” he lamented.
Recounting one of his experiences, Alao said a driver who had assured passengers of a direct trip later ordered everyone to disembark at Fadeyi.
“Oga, na Stadium I dey go ooo,” he recalled telling the driver, who reportedly responded, “Oga, no worry.”
According to him, the driver later stopped at Fadeyi Bus Stop, instructed passengers to come down and board another bus, and handed N1,000 to six passengers to share before driving away.
“I honestly felt like crying,” he added.
Alao also narrated another incident involving a driver who allegedly abandoned passengers after parking at Agric Bus Stop in Ojuelegba to enter a betting shop.
“One idiot I boarded from Barracks in Ojuelegba parked at Agric Bus Stop and entered a betting shop. He never came out. After waiting for several minutes, passengers started raining curses on the oloriburuku. Soon after everyone got down from the bus, another driver entered and zoomed off,” he said.
The journalist criticised what he described as the persistent recklessness and lack of accountability among some commercial drivers, noting that many commuters are often afraid to challenge their conduct for fear of confrontation or violence.
“In a sane society, rascals are not allowed on the roads managing the lives of responsible people. The moment you react to their misbehaviour, they are ready to attack you,” he stated.
He further expressed concern over what he termed the failure of transport unions and relevant authorities to properly sanitise the sector.
Alao specifically called on the Lagos State Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Mustapha Adekunle, popularly known as Sego, as well as the union’s leadership and the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, to address the situation and improve the conduct of commercial drivers across the state.
“Sego, the entire leadership of NURTW, and even the Ministry of Transportation should do something about this,” he appealed.
He maintained that stricter regulations and proper monitoring of commercial transport operators are necessary to protect commuters and restore order on Lagos roads.
