THE Lagos State Government (LASG) has issued a two-week registration notice to all public transport drivers (Korope/Danfo bus drivers) as part of its restructuring plans aimed at enhancing the commuting experience.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, during a meeting with bus operators and Union leaders in the State, stated that this initiative is in line with the Strategic Transportation Master Plan for Lagos State.
Giwa highlighted the disorderly state of bus operations along the corridor, emphasizing the need for cooperation to effectively regulate and integrate the informal transport sector into the State’s Bus Reform Initiative, with the Lekki/Epe corridor serving as a pilot project.
He further explained that the assessment conducted by the Ministry of Transportation and Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority along the Lekki Epe Corridor was to identify traffic flow challenges and outlined a systematic framework to address these issues.
Planned solutions include restructuring the unregulated public transport bus operations, deploying high-capacity buses as per the Lagos Transport Policy and Bus Route Network, relocating Korope/Minibuses to inner routes, and implementing re-registration and recertification of all buses.
Additionally, the introduction of an E-ticketing System, provision of transport infrastructure, regulation and standardization of bus operations, improved transportation services focusing on safety and passenger comfort, and enhancing security along the Lekki-Epe corridor are part of the proposed measures.
Giwa specified that the restructuring plan will be rolled out in phases and urged transport operators interested in participating to register at the Ministry of Transportation within the specified two-week period.
He warned that non-compliance with the regulations will result in fines and potential vehicle forfeitures, as the state government is committed to upholding the Transport Sector Reform Law.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Olawale Musa, emphasized the importance of union members in identifying unregistered operators along the Lekki-Epe Corridor, underscoring the corridor’s significance as a testbed for standardizing the transportation system in Lagos.
The Head of Bus Services at Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Dr. Amure, also highlighted the rapid development of the Lekki/Epe axis as a key factor in selecting the corridor for the Bus Reform Initiative, which commenced with the introduction of the Bus Rapid Transit in various parts of the State.
At the conclusion of the meeting, a communique was signed by Special Adviser Hon Sola Giwa, Permanent Secretary Olawale Musa, Acting Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Alhaji Mustapha aka Sego, and Deputy Chairman of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) Alhaji Taofeek Ajayi, affirming their support for the restructuring initiative.