Members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) for Ondo/Ore, Urban-Day and Modakeke-Ife axis have decried low turn-out of passengers at the parks, ahead of the Christmas and New Year festivities.
Mr. Seyi Olayinka, the Deputy Chairman of NURTW, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Ile-Ife that the patronage had been very low this year as against the situation in 2019.
“It seems that people prefer staying at their respective places to observe this year’s Christmas and New Year festivities, Olayinka said.
This, he said, might not be unconnected with the present economic situation of the country and the fear of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“That’s why we have found it difficult to increase transport fares, notwithstanding the high cost of fuel, as it is obvious that the few passengers around are those who have no choice than to travel.
“People are just managing the little they have and we too should not be seen as adding to their burden,” the NURTW chief said.
He said that the fares for Ondo, Ore, Ifetedo and Garage/ Olode routes were not increased, as they still remained N700, N1,000, N500 and N500 respectively.
He advised NURTW members against reckless driving, speeding, overloading and drunk driving, all of which, he said, could result in unnecessary accidents on the road.
Olayinka also called for prayers from Nigerians for an end to the country’s economic challenges and the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic. (NAN)
