Free shuttle buses and boats have resumed operations across Ondo State as schools reopen, in line with Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa’s “OUR EASE” agenda.
The initiative is designed to reduce transportation costs for parents, improve safety, and expand access to education for students in both urban and riverine communities.
The announcement was made by the governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Digital Media, Otunba Oyekan, who noted that the service covers routes from Akure to remote communities in Laje and Ese Odo.
During a monitoring exercise in Akure, the state capital, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, Francis Ayodele, commended the governor for making funds and personnel available to run the shuttles for the next 13 weeks.
He assured parents and students that both the buses serving city centres and the boats operating in riverine areas remain completely free of charge. He also encouraged the public to report any complaints directly to the Ministry of Transport.
Ayodele urged students to maintain order, follow the service rules, and cooperate with drivers and guides to ensure smooth operations.
Parents and pupils expressed relief and gratitude over the continuation of the programme, describing it as a major support in the face of economic challenges.
The free transport service officially resumed on Monday, September 15, coinciding with the start of the new academic session.
Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration has consistently prioritised education. Earlier this year, his government approved the upgrade of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic to a university and disbursed bursaries worth N286.7 million to nearly 5,000 students.
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