The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has suspended the movement of goods on all regulated public buses across Lagos State, with enforcement set to begin on June 1, 2026, as authorities move to improve commuter comfort and operational efficiency.
The directive was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by Kolawole Ojelabi, Head of Corporate Communication at LAMATA.
The agency said the decision was aimed at restoring order, improving passenger comfort, and ensuring safer and more efficient operations within Lagos’ regulated public transport system, where buses had increasingly been used for hauling goods alongside passengers.
According to the statement, the suspension followed growing complaints from commuters and operational challenges linked to the use of regulated buses for transporting goods and heavy loads.
According to the agency, the practice had begun to compromise passenger comfort, safety, and the efficiency of bus services across the state.
The statement further noted that any driver found conveying goods in regulated buses will be summarily dismissed and blacklisted, while terminal officials or staff aiding such practices will also face immediate dismissal.
LAMATA explained that the decision was reached after a strategic meeting with heads of operations and maintenance of bus operating companies, where stakeholders agreed that the practice needed to be halted and properly reorganised.
The authority stressed that the goal was not only enforcement but also the creation of a more balanced and sustainable transport system that prioritises commuters while maintaining order within the sector.
The agency further warned that enforcement would be strict and uncompromising once the directive takes effect, adding that there would be zero tolerance for violations by transport operators, terminal staff, commuters, and the general public.
Lagos State is set to shift its long-term transportation strategy away from road expansion toward a multimodal system centred on rail, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), and ferry services under its updated 2050 mobility master plan.
The revised framework positions mass transit as the backbone of Lagos’ future transport system, with integration expected to boost efficiency, accessibility, and long-term sustainability across the state.