By Suoyo EkuboÂ
Following incessant hike in transportation fare by commercial drivers, the Bayelsa State Ministry of Transport has reviewed the price of public transportation in the state.
In a statement signed by the Commissioner of Bayelsa State Ministry of Transport, Hon. Grace Ayakpo Ekiotene, said that following a meeting with the three gazetted road transport unions in the state and other stakeholders, tricycle (keke) operators have been ordered to charge N50 for short distances and N100 for long distances.
The statement reads in part:
“Transporters plying the Yenagoa to Amassoma route are to charge N600 for cars, N500 for Sienna, N400 for 14-Seater Bus and N300 for Coaster Buses.
“Transporters plying the Yenagoa to Otuoke route are to charge N500 for car/sienna.
“Transporters plying the Yenagoa to Sagbama route are to charge N700 for car/sienna, N600 for 14-Seater Bus.
“Transporters plying the Yenagoa to Tor-Orua route are to charge N1,500 for cars and sienna.”
The statement which banned transporters from either carrying or having any harmful weapon such as knives, daggers, axes, or cutlasses vowed to arrest and prosecute any defaulter.
Transporters were also ordered to have a manifest of all passengers boarding their vehicles before departing for their destinations, as defaulters will be arrested and prosecuted in court.
