Over 75,000 Commercial Buses Operate on Lagos Roads – LAMATA MD Reveals
Lagos Calls for High-Capacity Buses to Revolutionize Mass Transport
The Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Abimbola Akinajo, has disclosed that more than 75,000 commercial buses, popularly known as ‘Danfo’, currently ply Lagos roads. The revelation came during her keynote address at the second edition of the Endowed Professional Chair of Transport Studies Lecture at Lagos State University (LASU).
Mrs. Akinajo emphasized that Lagos State urgently requires high-capacity buses to transform its mass transportation system and reduce road congestion. The lecture, organized by LASU’s School of Transport and Logistics, carried the theme: “Transport Infrastructure Delivery and Sustainable Development of Lagos State: LAMATA Experience”.
Transition to Sustainable Mass Transportation
“We are a gas producer, so it makes sense for us to utilize our gas resources effectively,” stated Akinajo. “While some advocate for e-buses as the only sustainable solution, I believe each city must find its own path. For Lagos, mass transportation is the key to sustainability.”
The LAMATA chief explained that replacing multiple commercial buses with fewer high-capacity vehicles would significantly improve traffic flow. “One high-capacity bus can replace about five commercial buses. This means implementing railway systems alongside high-capacity buses,” she added.
Collaboration with Transport Unions
Akinajo revealed ongoing discussions with transport unions, including the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), to ensure smooth transition. “We’re not replacing them – they’re vital partners with years of experience. They already collaborate with us on some BRT routes,” she noted.
The managing director highlighted the 18-month-old Bus Industry Transition Programme, designed as a three-year initiative to phase in high-capacity buses while working closely with transport operators and academic institutions.
LASU’s Role in Transport Innovation
LASU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Prof. Taiwo Afisi, praised Lagos State’s transport achievements and LASU’s contribution through its pioneering School of Transport and Logistics – the first of its kind in West Africa.
“The multimodal transport system, increased capacity and improved connectivity are becoming realities for millions of Lagos residents,” Prof. Olatunji-Bello stated, emphasizing the university’s commitment to training transport professionals and driving policy innovation.
Credit: Daily Nigerian