The Lagos State government has affirmed its commitment to banning all unregulated commercial bus operations, such as Danfos and Koropes, along the Lekki-Epe corridor, effective October 1, 2024.
Sola Giwa, the special adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on transportation, told The Vanguard that the reminder of the planned ban, aligned with the Lagos State Strategic Transportation Master Plan (STMP), aims to dispel rumors of a suspension.
In preparation for the restructuring plans intended to enhance commuting in the area, the state government has sought collaboration with public transport bus operators, including Korope/Danfo bus drivers.
Mr. Giwa mentioned that a stakeholders’ meeting was held with bus operators and union leaders, emphasizing the need for compliance before October 1 to successfully regulate and integrate the informal transport sector into the State’s Bus Reform Initiative, using the corridor as a pilot test.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the current state of bus operations on the corridor, Mr. Giwa explained that the Ministry of Transportation and the Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority (LAMATA) have inspected the corridor to identify barriers to seamless traffic flow along the expressway and adjoining roads, and have devised a systematic framework to address potential challenges.
Mr. Giwa outlined planned solutions including the restructuring of existing unregulated public transport bus operations on the Lekki-Epe corridor, deploying high-capacity buses as per the Lagos Transport Policy and Bus Route Network, reallocating Korope/mini buses to inner routes, and re-registering and recertifying all buses.
Other measures include introducing an e-ticketing system, providing transport infrastructure (such as laybys and terminals), regulating and standardizing bus operations, and enhancing transportation services to improve safety, passenger comfort, and security along the Lekki-Epe corridor.
Mr. Giwa noted that the restructuring plan will be implemented in phases and urged transport operators who wish to participate in the program to register with the transport ministry within two weeks. Registered operators will be allocated routes to ensure strict adherence to the strategy.
He also warned that operators who violate the regulations will face fines and potential vehicle forfeiture if they ignore the notice of their fines, as the state government will not tolerate willful disregard of its existing Transport Sector Reform Law.