The Lagos State Government has called for the collaboration of public transport bus operators as it releases the restructuring plans to improve the commuting experience in the state.
Mr. Sola Giwa, the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Transportation, said this in a meeting between the Ministry of Transportation with Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority and bus operators on the Bus Reform Initiative programme on Thursday in Lagos.
The initiative aims to restructure the existing public transport operations in Lagos State systematically.
Giwa said this was in line with the Strategic Transportation Master Plan for the state.
He described the current bus operations as chaotic hence the need for collaboration to successfully regulate and integrate the informal transport sector into the state’s Bus Reform Initiative.
Using the Lekki/Epe corridor as a pilot test, he explained that the corridor had been inspected by the Ministry of Transportation and LAMATA to identify limitations of seamless traffic flow along the expressway and adjourning roads.
“Systematic framework to address these challenges have been mapped out which include deployment of high capacity buses on the corridor as stated in the Lagos Transport Policy and the Bus Route Network.
“Also included is the re-allocation and relocation of Korope/mini buses to the inner route, re-registration and re-certification of all buses.
“Others are the introduction of an e-ticketing system, provision of transport infrastructure, regulation and standardisation of bus operations, improved transportation services and the promotion of the security of lives and properties along the Lekki-Epe corridor,” he said.
Giwa noted that the restructuring plan would be implemented in phases, urging transport operators who intend to key into the restructuring programme to come to the Ministry of Transportation to register within the next two weeks.
“Registered operators will be allotted routes by the ministry to ensure strict compliance to the strategy,” he said.
The special adviser warned that any operator who contravenes the regulations implemented would be fined and would forfeit their vehicles if they ignored the notice of their fines.
On concerns raised by members of the unions, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olawale Musa explained that the government was counting on them to fish out unregistered operators along the Lekki-Epe corridor.
NAN