In the quest to completely eradicate motorcycle known as Okada in Lagos, Lagos State Government is set to launch 300 first and last-mile buses and 100 high-capacity buses to enhance transport movement in the state.
It is no news that the Lagos Government vision to turn the state into a megacity does not include the existence of Okada, Tricycle and Yellow buses as a mode of transportation hence the introduction of first and last mile mode of transportation.
According to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the buses will promote the state’s vision of an intermodal, integrated transport system, and enhance passengers’ connectivity to major routes in the state.
“Today, we launched 500 units of First and Last Mile (FLM) buses and 100 high and medium capacity buses for standard routes,” Sanwo-Olu said.
“The FLM buses will serve 286 identified routes within our communities as an alternative to addressing the menace and security threat constituted by Okada riders.
“FLM buses are safe and convenient as commuters will be able to use Cowry Travel Cards – an automated payment system already in use for BRT buses.
“We have delineated the FLM bus corridors into eight zones, comprising Ikeja and Ketu (Zone 1), Oshodi, Mushin, and Surulere (Zone 2), Berger, Yaba and Oyingbo (Zone 3) and Lagos Island, Ajah and Ibeju Lekki (Zone 4).
“Others are Iyana-ipaja and Agege (Zone 5), Mile 2, Iyana-Iba and Ajeromi (Zone 6), Ikorodu (Zone 7) and Epe and Badagry (Zone 8).”
The Governor said the FLM buses will be increased to 5,000 in the coming days.
“We added the 100 brand new high and medium capacity buses into the fleet of Lagos Bus Service Limited (LBSL) to replace vehicles burnt at BRT stations during the wave of violence last October,” he added.
“The launch of the FLM Bus Scheme is an important milestone in our quest to achieving the intermodal transport system which gives our teeming population the choices they deserve, reducing congestion and journey times, and improving the quality of life.”