Commercial Buses  Replace Motorbikes Along Tin Can Port Corridor

Commercial buses have resurfaced along the  newly constructed Apapa Oshodi Expressway, with passengers plying the ever busy Mile 2 – Liverpool axis along Tin Can Island Port corridor.

Our correspondent who monitored the development on Monday, reports that a section of the road has been occupied by yellow buses (Danfo), mini buses (Korokpe) and Vanagon buses (LT) with large of passengers.

The outward Apapa lane of the constructed road is currently occupied by tankers and container laden trucks.

Though motorbike operators also known as Okada riders were relatively visible along the corridor, commercial buses outnumbered the motorcycles.

Routes viable along the corridor by the transporters include , Mile 2 – Second Gate Tin Can Island Port, Mile 2 – Coconut; Mile 2 – Liverpool and Mile 2 – 1st Gate.

A cross section of commuters who spoke with DAILY FOCUS NIGERIA expressed sigh of relief over the development, even as they lauded efforts of the transporters’ initiative to providing succour for passengers.

They noted that the transporters initiative was timely , sequel to the recent ban of Okada in some part of Lagos State.

A customs broker who simply identified himself as Mr. Sunday Nwachukwu noted that the replacement of commercial buses to Okada along the corridor was a welcome development, adding that “It is safer, cheaper and less risky.

Nwachukwu said the transporters have provided succour for most of the freight forwarders and other ancillary service providers in the shipping industry pointing out that the ban of motorbike operators from major highways should be properly enforced and implemented.

On her part Comrade Bolanle Adewole of the Nigeria Merchant Navy Officer and Water Transport Senior Association lauded the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo Olu for the ban on  Okada adding that the transport hiccups in Apapa have been addressed with the commercial buses intervention.

Adewole stated that issues of transportation  within the corridors will reduce the risk of accident .

A stakeholder in the maritime industry, Comrade Jerry Obadiah called on road transport unions to ensure that ” No motorbike operators should be allowed to venture into commercial bus business for now”.

Obadiah maintained that the era of rigmarole within Apapa – Ajegunle axis will become a thing of the past if relevant agencies will  carry out proper enforcement .