Students, others React to Sudden Halt in Operation of Union Shuttle

  Edun Precious Oluwatomisin, Oguntade Adedoyin

  

On November 6, 2023, the Student Union, in conjunction with Uniconne commenced the operation of a transportation bus for students. The union shuttle kicked off by operating between bus stop and campus gate. The plan was to expand its operations to Damico and Road 7. Unfortunately, the Union Shuttle stopped operations abruptly with no information given to students as to why it stopped.

The CEO of Uniconne, Mr John Alade, while answering questions regarding the union shuttle, noted that the system has been crippled majorly due to the involvement of the conventional transport system. He further explained that the town and gown relationship, which is the communities of the University town, is important to the school, as it involves the non-academic population and the University, and should not be severe.

Mr John reiterated that the shuttle has caused a rift as students tend to use it more and have gradually moved away from using the Town-gboro buses. He noted that Uniconne is working to retrieve the remaining cards. 

 Students who spoke with OAU Kilonshele noted that the initiatives was of great importance during the last semester, but have wondered why the Students' Union shuttle have stopped working. 

While speaking, Samuel, a final year student in the faculty of Social science, said "It actually comes in handy when there is no bus but they are just not consistent which is not admirable, there was a time I was stranded at bus stop and the bus came in that evening, it was like a blessing!"

 Divine, a 200 level student from the Faculty of Arts, also said "It was quite a nice initiative, as it was like bliss for those of us that enter campus very late at night. It's worth it the one time I entered, was great!"

Another student from the College of Medicine, who noted the importance of the shuttle, said "The bus has been of great importance to us during posting, as it goes around OAUTHC and Road 7, but we have no idea for the abrupt stop".

 While speaking, a town-gboro bus driver, Mr Oluwagbade Adewale, said the total use of Students.' Union shuttle will not be effective enough as the system have limited amount of buses to convey a lot of students at once, unlike the Town-gboro Buses. He made reference to the effort of a past administration of the Students.' Union in making use of the Union shuttle, he said, 'they've tried it some years back, but they couldn't keep up with it.' 

 He made reference to FUTA and other institutions whose public transportation systems are well recognized and have no clashes

 with any other form of transportation. He also noted that the Union shuttle idea is inconsiderable as it mag eventually lead to a loss on the drivers' sides because they have wards to cater for, either within the university or in other schools. 

 Furthermore, Mr Adewale noted that each driver pays an amount of ₦12,500 per year in order to get CATREC Permit and convey students to campus. Mr Adewale therefore advised the Students.' Union to have a good thought about the decision while they consider the Students interests. .

The PRO of the Great IFE Students Union, Elijah H20, said in an interview with OAU Kilonshele Reporter that the office of the PRO has nothing to say about the abrupt Halt in the operation of the Students' Union Shuttle at the moment, he noted that the students can hope the Union shuttle will resume very soon.