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By Moses Akaigwe
The Lagos State Government has declared its readiness to integrate mini and midi buses, popularly known as Korope and Danfo, operating along the Lekki-Ajah axis, into the state’s Bus Reform Initiative.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa, disclosed this on Wednesday during a meeting with relevant stakeholders in Alausa.
He explained that the project was in the planning phase and would commence once all arrangements were finalised.
Reviewing the progress made so far, Hon. Giwa revealed that the documentation process for bus operators interested in the scheme is ongoing, with 10 operators having submitted letters of intent to the Ministry of Transportation of which six have already been confirmed.
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He further stated that all participating buses would undergo physical verification by the Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS) and Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA) to ensure their roadworthiness and proper documentation.
The Special Adviser added that once verified, the buses would be branded in the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) colours and would be equipped with validators.
Hon. Giwa noted that a framework is being developed to integrate union dues deductions into the e- ticketing system, while also addressing the activities of hoodlums who extort transporters along the axis.
According to him, the initiative would be test-run for three months before full enforcement. He emphasised that once the program is implemented, mini buses (Korope) would no longer be allowed to operate along the Lekki-Ajah expressway but will be deployed to inner routes and communities.
Present at the meeting include; the Permanent Secretary of MVAA Mr. Rasheed Muri-Okunola, General Manager of LASTMA Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, Representatives from LAMATA, LASDRI, VIS, and Directors from MOT amongst others.
