The Lagos State Government has launched a Bus Reform Initiative (BRI) aimed at overhauling public transportation, starting with a pilot scheme along the Lekki-Epe corridor.

Implemented through the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), the initiative focuses on enhancing commuter safety, improving operational efficiency, and leveraging technology to tackle the state?s transport challenges.

Speaking on radio, Olasunkanmi Ojowuro, Director of Transport Operations at the Ministry of Transportation, highlighted safety as the core of the reform. ?Commuters will travel in safer vehicles, driven by well-trained professionals,? he assured.

?All drivers on the corridor will undergo mandatory training by the Lagos State Drivers? Institute (LASDRI) to ensure defensive driving standards.

?Vehicles, inspected by the Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS), must meet strict safety criteria, with non-compliant operators required to upgrade or face exclusion.?

The BRI integrates private sector operators, merging existing players into a structured system. Twelve registered operators, managing fleets of up to 50 vehicles each, will service the corridor using high- and medium-capacity buses, alongside smaller vehicles like koropes and danfos for first- and last-mile connectivity.

Ojowuro noted that these smaller buses will ferry passengers from inner communities to major hubs, ensuring seamless integration with larger routes.

?Technology is a game-changer in the initiative. An Intelligent Transport System (ITS) will reduce human interference in traffic management, easing congestion. Ojowuro said.

?A cashless payment system, using the Cowry Card, eliminates fare disputes and enhances transparency.

?Vehicles will be equipped with barcodes for easy tracking, enabling swift enforcement of traffic regulations.

The Lekki-Epe corridor, a high-traffic axis, was chosen for the pilot due to its strategic importance.

Operators have embraced the reform, with compliant vehicles being repainted in the state?s white-and-blue livery. According to Ojowuro, the painting process, which includes panel beating, is underway and expected to conclude within weeks.

Ojowuro highlighted the broader benefits: reduced pollution from high-capacity buses, shorter travel times, and a commuter-friendly experience. ?This is about moving Lagos forward with a safe, efficient, and modern transport system,? he said.

The initiative aligns with LAMATA?s Strategic Transport Master Plan, complementing existing Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), rail, and waterway projects. (The Nation)

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