The Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Imo State has inaugurated its first Campus Shuttle Service.
The bus service replaces the motorcycle service hitherto operational in the institution.
The service is a product of a partnership between the polytechnic and a company, Campus Pilot Ltd.
The Rector of the polytechnic, Michael Arimanwa performed the flag-off of the campus shuttle service on Wednesday, October 26, 2022.
Arimanwa, an engineer expressed delight at another mark of history in the institution in the area of transportation.
He expressed confidence that the bus service which charges only N50 per drop has come to address issues of safety and stability.
According to the rector, “We have made every effort to ensure that we have a very affordable system of transportation.
“Before now, we used to have a commercial motorcycle operation which posed a challenge in safety and sustainability.
“Again, the operators usually reneged on agreements reached in terms of cost and safety measures hence we issued a ban on bike operations on campus.
“Today, we have a shuttle service that is affordable, environment-friendly and safe, which operate on designated routes across the campus.
“We are also happy that the service is digitally operated as there are smart security codes that can make a passenger decode the identity of the driver conveying them while using a smart phone.
“I however charge drivers to wear uniforms and put on name tags as a simple means of identification. The operators must ensure the buses do not exceed stipulated speed limits on campus.
“We are happy, meanwhile, that the Campus Shuttle Ltd has acquitted itself as we never heard of any case of accident or incident in the course of their trial period.
“Our medical facility did not admit any injured student in the course of their operation. This is a clear departure from the era of motorcycle operation with its risks and hazards. We therefore pray that God would make the buses serve the purpose for which they were procured.”
Earlier, the Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Okafo Okeraffia, described the day as special while listing the gains of the service to include affordability, safety and environment friendliness.
Okeraffia added that officials of the Student Union Government would enjoy free services upon tendering their identity cards.
The Operations Officer of the company, Kingsley Arinzechukwu, thanked the rector for the technological advancement of the polytechnic.
He also spelt out the various routes which the buses would ply and the stations they would operate.
In a goodwill message, Ejike PraiseGod, Deputy Coordinator, NANS, South East, Zone F, commended the rector for his pro-activeness in getting a credible alternative means of transportation after the ban of bike operations.
He also commended the rector for redefining leadership since he assumed office as the 8th substantive rector of the institution.
Similarly, the Divisional Police Officer for Ihiagwa Police Division saluted the rector on his achievements which are in the public domain.
He expressed joy in being invited to the epochal event, describing the polytechnic chief as a true servant of God who has shown commitment and purpose in the service of his country.
Recall that the campus bus shuttle was introduced at the wake of the ban imposed on motorcycle operations in the polytechnic.
The rector banned the bike service due to inefficiency and recalcitrance of the operators.
He also promised to introduce a transport operation in line with the new transportation policy of the pace-setting polytechnic.
Remarkably, the rector has promised to deploy the electric car invented by the institution upon its mass production.
The bus service commences with a fleet of 45 vehicles.
