Lagos Commuters, Motorists Experience Light Traffic In The New Year

Commuters and motorists in Lagos State yesterday experienced light traffic on most of the roads in the metropolis as the New Year festivities continue. A correspondent, who monitored traffic situation in the metropolis, reports that the ever-busy Ikeja-Oshodi, Ikorodu-CMS and Orile-Iganmu-Mile 2-Badagry Expressways recorded light traffic.

Few yellow passenger buses and private vehicles were seen plying the roads. The usual crowds of passengers at Bus Stops such as Ojota, Ikeja, Ketu, Costain Roundabout, Orile-Iganmu,Yaba, Oyingbo and Oshodi disappeared.

A commuter, Yinka Olatunde, who spoke with our reporter, said many residents had travelled out of the city, while others might be staying indoors to celebrate the New Year.

He noted that the few passengers, who came out to board the buses might be responsible for the stable intra-city transport fares. “I paid the usual N150 from Ojota to Ojuelegba, so there was no hike in fares by the transporters,” he told our reporter.

Another commuter, who did not want to be identified, said she paid the usual N50 from Maryland to Ikeja, the state capital.

At Ojota Motor Park, transport fares still remained the same as Ilorin-bound passengers were charged the usual N3,500 one-way by operators of the commercial buses.

The Lagos Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and the red buses of the state government were also commuting few passengers at the various points in the metropolis.

The state government had on Christmas day rolled out its buses to provide free bus ride for residents, while operators of BRT provided free transportation on January 1. [LAG/NAN]