LASG bars LAGBUS from Ikorodu road

Ahead of plans to introduce Intelligent Traffic System along the BUS Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor, Lagos State is relocating all other franchises from the use of the corridor.

Olanrewaju Elegushi, the acting commissioner for transportation, stated that with effect from November 7, 2016 (today) all LAGBUS buses will no longer be allowed on the BRT corridor to load, drop and travel.

“Henceforth, all LAGBUS buses can only provide end to end bus services using the expressway and service lanes along the Ikorodu Rad stretch,” Elegushi said

Explaining the decision, the acting commissioner noted that government was determined to enhance and boost commuters experience along the corridor adding that the present arrangement has constrained the capacity of the BRT bus services to cater for the people.

He further stated that the restriction does not extend to charter staff buses run by LAGBUS; does not preclude access to depot along Ikorodu road and express services are allowed with only few designated stops.

All routes from Ikorodu hinterland will now terminate at TOS Benson bus stop after which there will be no loading of passengers.

However, the operations of LAGBUS buses have been moved to other 14 routes identified by the Lagos State Metropolitan Transport Master plan. He added that one other route will take off before the end of the year.

Declaring the new plan as in being in the overall interest of Lagosians, the Commissioner also banned the on board sales of tickets on board buses desorbing it as the harbinger of unstructured service. He further disclosed that the information as to the new routes had earlier been conveyed to stakeholders at a parley.

He assured that in the aftermath of this, the state government has concluded arrangement to allocate new routes to the operator of LAGBUS franchise. Elegushi also noted that the State Government has also committed to providing appropriate facilities that would provide the support to make their operations more efficient and effective.

JOSHUA BASSEY