Osun Korope Drivers Challenge Adeleke On CNG, Increases Fare From Thursday
Reloaded News Desk
Commercial minibus operators, popularly known as Korope drivers, on Wednesday protested in Osogbo, Osun State, over the rising cost of petrol, vehicle maintenance and other operating expenses, while demanding urgent action from the state government on the availability of Compressed Natural Gas, CNG, in the state.
The drivers, operating under the Association of Korope Drivers, converged on the Aiyetoro area of Osogbo and temporarily withdrew their vehicles from the roads.
They said the rising cost of petrol had made the business increasingly difficult to sustain, with some drivers reporting daily fuel expenses of up to ₦40,000.
The protesters challenged the state government to make CNG readily available in Osun, saying many operators were willing to convert their vehicles but could not effectively use the alternative fuel because of the absence of accessible CNG refuelling facilities in the state.
They also called for government support to make vehicle conversion affordable and urged the authorities to provide and improve designated bus stops across Osogbo.
The drivers further complained about the rising cost of spare parts and other household expenses, saying the pressure had significantly reduced their daily earnings.
The protest also included a demand for investigation into the handling of proceeds from daily transport tickets collected from drivers.
A representative of the protesters, Abdulwasiu Osuolale, alleged that some individuals were retaining ticket proceeds instead of remitting them to government coffers and called for the system to be investigated. The allegation has not been independently established.
Following the protest, the Association of Korope Drivers announced a new fare structure which will take effect from Thursday, September 24.
The minimum fare, which was previously ₦200 per drop on the affected routes, will rise to ₦300.
The ₦300 fare will apply to Dagbolu 1 and 2–Kobo, Ota-Efun–Stadium, Ota-Efun–Testing Ground, Testing Ground–Igbona, Oja-Oba–Garage Ilesha, Oja-Oba–Olaiya and Old Garage, Old Garage/Okefia–Dada Estate, Olaiya–Dada Estate, and Ofatedo–Ido-Osun.
The ₦400 fare will apply to Dagbolu–Ota-Efun, Testing Ground–Old Garage, Testing Ground–Oja-Oba, Biket/Powerline/Jaye–Old Garage, Ayetoro/Igbona/Olorunda–Ota-Efun, Ayetoro–Ogo-Oluwa, Oja-Oba–Owode Garage, Alakija/OSBC–Oja-Oba, Olaiya/Old Garage/Okefia–Bolanle/Dele, and Old Garage/Olaiya/Okefia–Agunbelewo.
The ₦500 routes include Ota-Efun–Old Garage, Old Garage/Ola-Iya–Abere, Testing Ground–Ogo-Oluwa, Dagbolu 1 and 2–Stadium and Testing Ground, Sasa–Okebaale–Oja-Oba, Oja-Oba–Osunjela, Igbona/Ayetoro–Dada Estate, Olaiya/Old Garage/Okefia–Ofatedo, and Old Garage/Olaiya/Okefia–Okinni.
Passengers travelling on Kobo–Old Garage, Ay]etoro/Igbona–Abere, Old Garage/Ola-Iya–Owode, Ota-Efun–Oja-Oba, Testing Ground–Garage Ilesha, Olaiya/Old Garage/Okefia–Ido-Osun, and Owode-Ede–Olaiya/Okefia will pay ₦600.
The ₦700 fare applies to Ayetoro/Igbona–Owode-Ede, Dagbolu 1 and 2–Okefia/Old Garage, and Old Garage/Olaiya/Okefia–Olobu/Ifon.
The fare for Stadium–Owode-Ede is ₦800.
Passengers travelling from Ota-Efun–Owode-Ede and Owode-Ede–Bolanle/Dele Yes Sir will pay ₦1,000.
The longest route on the new schedule, Kobo–Owode-Ede, has been fixed at ₦1,200.
The drivers said the increase was necessary because existing fares no longer covered the cost of fuel, maintenance and other expenses involved in operating the minibuses.
The association’s announced fares are the drivers’ new fare structure; there is no indication in the reports of a separate approval of the increases by the Osun State Government.
The protesters also warned that they could withdraw their services for a longer period if their concerns over fuel costs, CNG availability, transport infrastructure and ticketing arrangements are not addressed.
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