The Lagos State Government is set to roll out its 820 medium and high capacity buses under its public transportation transformation of Bus Reform Initiative, to meet the yearnings of its citizenry.
The Commissioner for Transportation Mr. Ladi Lawanson who disclosed this on Thursday said with a very high metropolitan population, the bus reform will boost government’s determination to organize the public transportation system.
He said: “The bus reform project was designed to find solutions to perennial challenges of poor quality service, unpredictable fare, unhealthy competition, high rate of accidents and unreliable service.”
This he said involves replacement of yellow mini buses with air conditioned buses of uniformed specification, with predictable bus schedules and routes supported by appropriate infrastructure.
Lawanson recalled the first implementation of the bus reform which began with the construction and commissioning of the Ikeja Bus Terminal by President Muhammadu Buhari, noting the completion of other terminals at Yaba, Oyingbo, Ojota, Agege, and Ajah, with the masterpiece which is the Oshodi Transport Interchange, is also set to be unveiled by Mr. President before the end of this present administration on May 29.
The Commissioner added that the Bus Reform Project which will be technology driven will ensure seamless integration of transport modes and passenger movement through 23 routes for efficiency and effectiveness, to restore the confidence of Lagosians in the use of public transport facilities.
Explaining further, he said under the first phase of the Bus Reform project, seventy five (75) out of the planned one hundred (100) bus shelters have been completed to support the operation of the buses.
Allaying fear that the existing transport unions members will be sent into labour market, Lawanson opined that 800 of the buses will be released to private operators using the operating lease model which has incorporated the current road transport operators namely; National Union of Road Transport Workers, (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) with their selection as part of the Bus Operating Companies.
Highlighting further, the State transport Commissioner disclosed other features of the Bus Reform Project as a job creation component for which Drivers and Bus Attendants, who will be professionally trained and well kitted, will be sourced locally, as well as ticketing, vulcanizing, cleaning/washing and others by the Bus Operating Companies will also depend on the citizenry for staffing.
Lawanson congratulate Lagosians for being part of this laudable project aimed at ensuring better quality life. He urged citizenry to take ownership of the project, guide against misuse and vandalisation while awaiting the commencement of operation.