NURTW members on goverment’s plan to ban Danfo

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, recently unveiled plans to replace the commercial yellow buses commonly referred to as Danfo with a new set of buses, as a way to sanitise the sector and boost intra-city mobility. IFEOMA ONOCHIE went to town to get the views of commuters, Danfo drivers and even commercial bus owners on the issue.

It’s Going To Deprive Many Of Us Our Source Of Livelihood
Mr. Alfred Azubuike, a commercial bus driver in Ijegun, Alimosho LGA)
I am still thinking of how the idea of replacing Lagos State yellow buses with new ones will work. I am not in support of it at all because we would no longer be getting money on daily basis, as we used to get. In fact, it’s going to deprive many of us our source of livelihood and turn some of us who cannot learn new trade to beggars.

This May Likely Increase Crime Rate, Especially Armed Robbery
(Mr. Tajudeen Ayola, NURTW member in Oshodi)
Ambode just want to do his own thing, but he seems to forget that there are millions of people who depend on the activities of Danfo buses to earn a living and replacing the buses would mean keeping those people out of business. And if this group of people are idle, there is the possibility of many of them going into crime; so this may likely increase crime rate, especially armed robbery and kidnapping. It will make the younger drivers and conductors go into daring crime, which would create bad image for the state.

The New Buses Should Not Be Forced On NURTW Members
(Mr. Biodun Owolabi, commercial bus owner based in Ikeja)
Though Ambode has created more bus stops to avoid traffic build up on major roads, which is commendable, he should likewise think of a better way to move Lagos transport system forward by encouraging public/private partnership. We make our money from transport business, so, the new buses should not be forced on us, let whosoever that is pleased to drive them do so and not replacing Danfo. He should allow Danfo buses to run alongside the new ones to be introduced. National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) voted for him and look forward to a new Lagos, which will create better condition, for us to operate. We do not say he shouldn’t bring in new buses, but he should not force them on us.

Allocate Routes And Restrict Danfo To Some Of Them
(Mr. Ashiru Saka, a commercial bus driver in Ikotun)
Replacing Danfo buses with new ones is unfair; the buses have been with us for a long time and replacing them would mean making some able bodied unemployed. Though, I heard it would be the same commercial bus drivers that would drive the new buses, he should be told that most of the drivers would not want to be placed on a monthly salary. They would prefer to work and make their money on a daily basis. So, it would be good to allocate routes and restrict Danfo buses to some of them. Doing that both can work together.

Only Danfo Can Ply Inner Roads
(Mr. Tunde Raji, a commercial bus driver in Oshodi)
The idea of bringing new air-conditioned buses into the state is good, but banning Danfo buses from plying the road is completely not it. It’s not a sign of good governance. Government should revisit its stand, think of ways to improve road transport. The governor cannot engage all of the drivers and to avoid disorganising the society, he should create a means for the drivers and vehicle owners that would not be disengaged to earn a living. If possible create different routes for them to ply. Besides, would the air-conditioned buses ply our local roads, like the hinterlands? This is why Danfo buses that could weather the terrain should operate. We also need to remind him that Fashola buses are not operating the way they should operate, he should put them in order and move the state forward. I hope Ambode’s new policy would not create more problems for the state and the commuters.

Don’t Ban, But Reorganise The Sector
(Mr. Oluwaseun Ayorinde, a commercial bus owner in Ikeja)
Ambode should reconsider his decision if he wants Lagos to be governable. He should be made to understand that when people are idle or deprived of their means of livelihood, they could easily go into crime. He should not ban Danfo , but reorganise the sector to suite Lagos new status. And if he must do this, he should make sure that it would not be one step forward, 10 steps backward.