High optimism as Lagos plans to deploy 2,231 buses to ease transport challenge

Known for being one of the most populous and bustling cities in Nigeria, Lagos has long been notorious for its traffic congestion.

The plan by the state government to deploy additional 2,231 buses into the public transportation system has elicited high expectation and excitement.

The Commissioner for Transportation, Lagos State, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, disclosed during the 2024 Ministerial Briefing held recently at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, that the Lagos State government has expressed its readiness to ease residents’ movement with the release of 2,231 additional buses.

Read also: Transportation: Lagos plans additional 2,050 BRT buses to ease transportation

Recent developments in road infrastructure aim to alleviate these traffic woes, thereby bringing much-needed relief to commuters and residents.

Key roads and highways have been expanded and rehabilitated to accommodate more traffic and improve the flow of vehicles which include the widening of major arteries and the repair of previously neglected roads.

Earlier this year, President Bola Tinubu inaugurated the 37-kilometer (23-mile) Red Line, which stretches from the northern suburb of Agbado down to the coastal area of Oyingbo, near the city’s central business district of Victoria Island.

According to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, “All the infrastructure is completed and ready for public use as the trains will run 37 trips daily and transport about 500,000 passengers when fully operational.”

The Federal Government has also stated that rehabilitation of the 250-metre critically-failed section of the Ijora-Causeway Road in Lagos State would be completed in August 2024 to ease traffic congestion on the road according to the Managing Director of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Chukwuemeka Agbasi, during an inspection tour of ongoing road maintenance projects in the state.

Several new flyovers and bridges have been constructed to ease traffic at critical junctions and intersections. These structures help to separate different streams of traffic, reducing bottlenecks and improving travel times.

The ray of optimism spawned by the Lagos-Calabar coastal route cannot be overlooked as it bridges the rural-urban divide, promoting equitable development and lowering income disparities by integrating isolated communities into national and regional supply chains which connect nine states and provide dual-purpose infrastructure for vehicles and trains.

The project is poised to foster economic growth, ease traffic congestion, and improve the overall quality of life for Nigerians

Upgraded traffic management systems, including better traffic lights, road markings, and signage, have been implemented. The use of smart traffic management technology helps to monitor and manage traffic flow more effectively.

New alternate routes have been developed to divert traffic from congested areas. This includes the construction of bypasses and ring roads that allow vehicles to circumvent the city center.

Investments in public transportation, including the expansion of bus rapid transit (BRT) systems and the development of new transport hubs, have been made to reduce the number of private vehicles on the roads.

The Commissioner for Transportation, Lagos State, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, disclosed during the 2024 Ministerial Briefing recently held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, that the Lagos State government has expressed its readiness to ease residents’ movement with the release of 2,231 additional buses into the public transportation system.

Stricter enforcement of traffic laws and regulations has also been introduced to ensure that drivers adhere to rules, which helps to maintain order and reduce incidents that cause congestion.

The Lagos State Government has unveiled a comprehensive transport policy aimed at significantly easing traffic congestion and improving the overall commuting experience for residents, among several other benefits.

These initiatives are part of a comprehensive strategy to improve the overall traffic situation in Lagos, making commuting more efficient and less stressful for residents. The improvements in road infrastructure are expected to have a positive impact on the city’s economy and quality of life.