Osun State introduces palliative buses to mitigate subsidy removal impact

In response to the recent removal of fuel subsidy, Osun State has launched a fleet of commuter buses aimed at providing relief to civil servants, students, and other residents traveling along selected routes within the state. The unveiling ceremony took place in Osogbo on Monday and was announced by Governor Ademola Adeleke, represented by Deputy Governor Kola Adewusi.

The palliative buses are designed to operate during specific hours, catering to the morning and afternoon shifts from Monday to Friday. The morning shift runs from 6:45 am to 9 am, while the afternoon shift operates from 3 pm to 5 pm. Governor Adeleke emphasized the administration’s commitment to prioritizing the welfare of residents, acknowledging the resilience and dedication of civil servants despite economic challenges.

During the official unveiling, Commissioner for Transportation, Sesan Oyedele, assured residents of additional buses in the near future. Oyedele characterized the Adeleke government as worker-friendly, mentioning that passengers would be charged a token fee for each drop to cover operational and maintenance costs.

The routes designated for the five buses in Osogbo are as follows:

1. Dada Estate – Capital – Okefia – Olaiya (Terminating at Abere – Secretariat)
2. Stadium Roundabout – Ayetoro – Old Garage – Olaiya (Terminating at Abere – Secretariat)
3. Oja Oba – Isale Osun – Odi Olowo – Olaiya (Terminating at Abere – Secretariat)
4. Owode Ede – Abere – Ogo Oluwa – Olaiya (Terminating at Old Garage)
5. Okinni – LAMECO – Dele – Yes Sir – East Bye Pass (Terminating at Abere – Secretariat)

The initiative aims to alleviate the impact of subsidy removal on commuters and enhance accessibility for various segments of the population in Osun State.