In its quest to rebrand and professionalize the road transport sector, the Lagos State Government has held consultation with road transport operators as the current administration is determined to have a public transportation system that supports its megacity status.
Speaking on Friday at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa during the year 2016 press briefing of the State Government in commemoration of the first year in office of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation said that the state government has a plan to restructure garages in the state and introduce holistic ticketing system which people can download from the internet and use for any mode of transportation in the state without hitches.
He explained: “Lagos State motor garages will be restructured in such a way that alcohol,illicit substances and other things that are not supposed to be sold at our garages will not be there. We are going to teach the transport operators in the state etiquette on how to behave and talk to commuters. As a matter of fact they too want a change.”
The Commissioner further revealed that part of the efforts to transform the face of public transportation will be the introduction of a new taxi scheme and higher capacity buses that are eco-friendly, comfortable and fully air conditioned before the end of the year, adding that these buses will be 30-Seater as opposed to 14-18 Seater buses.
On the traffic challenges on the Third Mainland Bridge, Mobereola explained that the problem will be solved on completion of the multiple lay-bys at Iyana Oworonsoki by the State government, pointing out that Oworonsoki road has a lot of residential areas on both sides without proper lay-bys, making it convenient for commercial transporters to pick passengers on the road.
While noting that multiple lay-bys being constructed for the area will be completed soon, he opined that monitoring of transportation on waterways will improve once proper channelization and route delineation is put in place, as well as the posting of Marine LASTMA, VIO and ambulances to work on the water ways.
He stated further that as part of ways of ensuring sanity on the road, Governor Ambode has given approval for the recruitment of additional 1000 LASTMA officials.
