Lagos Launches 500 First and Last Mile Buses, Goodbye to Okada

• The Lagos state government has launched 500 first and last mile buses for transporters in the state

• The buses will serve as replacements for motorcyles( Okada) and it will kickstart the government’s plan to ban them

• Okada riders in the state have been advised to find new means of livelihood

The Lagos state Governor, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu recently launched 500 units of First and Last Mile buses (FLM)  and they will be deployed to communities as an alternative means of transportation, thereby dealing with the security threat demonstrated by commercial motorcycles (Okada).

The new 100 high and medium capacity buses were inaugurated by the Governor into the fleet of Lagos Bus Service (LBSL) as replacement for the buses burnt at the BRT station during the violence outbreak that destroyed the EndSARS peaceful protest in October 2020.

The Gov. Sanwo-Olu stated that these mini buses would deal with the Okada-related problems raised by Lagos residents especially on their safety. Also, they will provide services that the high-capacity buses aren’t designed to do.

He said that the first fleet of buses will begin operation of the scheme, and in few months, the fleet will gradually increase to 5,000 buses.

The FLM buses provides a premium insurance policy on the lives of the drivers and passengers. Also, the maintenance and operation of the buses will be managed by private operators for turnover and effectiveness. The private operators are saddled with the responsibility of recruiting personnel for the management of the scheme.

The local councils’ Chairmen were directed by the Governor to make sure the roads are free from obstacles that may hinder the movement of the FLM buses.

Read also: Lagos to enforce Okada ban from July

Dr Frederic Oladeinde (Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation) stated that, the scheme is a part of the State’s transport systems created to provide relief to hinterland residents in accessing normal transport corridors through safe medium.

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