Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. Commercial motorbike riders in Bo City have embarked on a strike action in protest of a sudden hike in park ticket prices imposed by the Bo City Council.
The move to halt operations follows the Council’s decision to increase the daily park ticket fee from Le 2 to NLe 20 — a tenfold jump that riders say was made without prior consultation or engagement. These tickets are mandatory for motorbike riders to operate on the streets and access designated parking grounds in the city.
The abrupt hike has sparked outrage among members of the Bike Riders Union (BRU), who describe the increase as economically burdensome and unjust, especially given the current financial hardship many riders face.
“We were not consulted about this decision,” said a union representative. “The Bo City Council simply announced the new price, and we are expected to comply without question. This is not fair.”
Beyond the pricing issue, the BRU has also raised concerns about persistent police harassment, claiming that riders are frequently targeted, intimidated, and unfairly fined by law enforcement personnel even when they comply with regulations.
The strike, which began earlier this week, has significantly disrupted transportation across Bo City. With commercial bike services suspended, many residents have been left stranded or forced to walk long distances to reach their destinations.
In response to the growing unrest and the impact on traffic flow, security personnel have been deployed across key locations in the city to maintain order and ease congestion. The presence of police has added to tensions between riders and authorities.
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