Over 40,000 Enugu Commercial Drivers Protest Ahead of BRT Restrictions

In Enugu State, more than 40,000 commercial drivers, including tricycle operators, yellow-bus, and mini-bus drivers, are preparing to protest the government’s plan to restrict their operations along major city roads.

The move is part of the state’s upcoming Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system rollout. Key routes, such as Okpara Avenue–Abakaliki Road–New Haven Junction–Naira Triangle–Emene Airport, Ogui Road–Chime Avenue–Naira Triangle, New Haven Junction–Bisala Road, and the entire Agbani Road, are set to be reserved exclusively for BRT buses.

While officials say the policy aims to modernize public transportation—assigning BRT buses to main roads, yellow-buses to secondary roads, and tricycles to last-mile services—drivers argue it threatens their livelihoods. Many fear the restrictions, combined with rising taxes and fees, could negatively impact hundreds of thousands of people who depend on them.

The government plans to introduce 200 CNG-powered BRT buses, assemble 4,000 electric taxis locally, and set up 84 bus shelters with electronic payment systems. A joint committee of government officials and transport unions has been formed to negotiate the implementation, but drivers insist they will continue to oppose the policy until their concerns are fully addressed.