Parents, students groan as Ondo govt suspends free school shuttle buses

Difficult times are here for students and parents in Ondo State over the disappearance of the free shuttle buses used to convey pupils of primary and secondary schools in the State from the roads.

A reliable source told News Nexus that those handling the finance of the state government had refused to release funds to the appropriate ministry to fuel the buses across the state since school resumption.

The free shuttle buses were no longer on the roads since 20th January, 2025 while it worked for one week in the new academic term, with the state government keeping mute on the development.

The situation has left many students stranded at their designated bus stops with scores trekking long distances daily in the sun, especially in the afternoon.

The impact of this unpalatable development is being felt by both the parents and students as Nigerians are currently battling with economic hardship occasioned by government policies.

The free shuttle bus project was initiated by former Governor Olusegun Mimiko in 2012 to ease the movements of the pupils across the 18 local government areas of the state and to reduce the amount parents spend on the transportation of their wards.

Although the project was sustained by late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, it was later stopped.

Incumbent Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa after succeeding late Akeredolu last year, revived the scheme with a promise to ensure its continuity.

Despite Aiyedatiwa’s assurances during his campaign to sustain the programme, the students now find themselves bearing the brunt of his administration’s inefficiency and inability to deliver on his promises.

Some of the students, who pleaded anonymity, described the situation as worrisome, accusing Aiyedatiwa-led government of insensitive to their plight.

They lamented the hardship being faced daily due to the absence of the shuttle buses and appealed to Governor Aiyedatiwa to reverse the situation.

A cross section of students of Fiwasaye Girls’ Grammar School, Aquinas College, Saint Louis Girls Grammar School and Oyemekun Grammar School were seen trekking home daily under the under sun.

Reacting to the development, some parents expressed their frustrations, lamenting the rising cost of transporting their wards to and from school.

They said that the state government decision was insensitive to the current economic situation in the country, questioning the commitment of the government to residents’ welfare.

They called for the immediate restoration of the shuttle bus scheme to ease their financial burden.