The Lagos State Government has said no going back on the planned enforcement banning operations of all unregulated commercial bus operations, specifically “Danfos” and “Koropes” along Lekki-Epe corridor, scheduled to commence on October 1, 2024.
This followed speculations making the rounds on the suspension of the plans by government.
Speaking with Vanguard, State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, maintained that the move was in line with the Lagos State Strategic Transportation Master.
The duo, therefore, called for the collaboration of Public Transport Bus Operators, such as Korope/Danfo bus drivers, as government releases the restructuring plans to improve commuting experience.
Giwa added that a stakeholders meeting had been held earlier with bus operators and union leaders in the state, on the need for compliance before the due period.
Giwa described the current state of bus operations on the corridor as chaotic hence, the need for collaboration to successfully regulate and integrate the informal transport sector into the State’s Bus Reform Initiative using Lekki/Epe corridor as a pilot test.
He further explained that the Lekki Epe Corridor had been inspected by the Ministry of Transportation and Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority, LAMATA to identify limitations of seamless traffic flow along the Expressway and adjourning roads and had mapped out systematic framework to address possible challenges.
Some of the planned solutions according to Giwa include; The restructuring of the existing unregulated Public Transport Bus Operations on the Lekki Epe Corridor, deployment of High Capacity Buses on the corridor as stated in the Lagos Transport Policy and the Bus Route Network, re-allocation and relocation of Korope/Mini buses to inner route, re-registration and recertification of all buses.
Others are; The Introduction of E-ticketing System, Provision of transport infrastructure (Layby, terminal, among others), regulation and standardization of bus operations, improved transportation services, that is; Safety and passenger comfort and promote the security of lives and properties along the Lekki-Epe corridor.
VANGUARD
