Lekki-Epe Expressway: Reform raises capacity fears as Lagos moves to phase out mini-buses

As the Lagos State Government accelerates efforts to phase out commercial mini-buses from the CMS–Lekki–Epe corridor, commuters are increasingly asking a critical question: can the state provide enough regulated buses to meet immediate and future travel demand along the rapidly growing axis?

The mini-buses, popularly known as korope, have long dominated passenger movement on the Lekki–Epe Expressway, providing flexible and frequent services between Ajah, Lekki, Victoria Island and CMS. Their gradual restriction from major sections of the corridor forms part of the Bus Reform Initiative (BRI), which aims to replace informal transport with structured, high-capacity bus operations designed to improve safety, order and travel time.

But for thousands of daily passengers, the success of the reform now hinges less on policy intent and more on bus availability.

Adebukola Janet, a civil servant who commutes from Ajah to Victoria Island, said the transition has already exposed gaps during rush hours.

“The new buses are better organised, but they are not enough yet. If mini-buses are removed completely, the government must provide many more buses immediately. Otherwise, commuters will suffer,” she said.

Earlier this week, traffic along the corridor worsened after protesting mini-bus operators blocked sections of the expressway, leaving commuters stranded and underscoring the fragile balance between reform and mobility demand on one of Lagos’ busiest routes.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, said the reform is essential to modernising public transport and reducing congestion on the Lekki–Epe axis.

“Our goal is to deliver safe, efficient and reliable transportation for Lagos residents through regulated bus operations,” he said.

Under the corridor plan, only approved high-capacity buses operate on the expressway, while former mini-bus services are expected to function on inner feeder routes connecting residential areas to major terminals. Participating buses carry the state’s blue-and-white colour scheme, QR-coded identification and electronic payment systems intended to standardise fares and improve security.

Some commuters say the early effects are visible in smoother traffic flow and reduced roadside loading once associated with korope, but warn that service frequency remains inconsistent.

Daniel Adeyemi, who travels daily from Sangotedo to Victoria Island, said waiting times have increased at certain stops since the restriction began.

“You can see less disorder on the road now, but sometimes you wait longer because buses are not coming quickly. If they want to remove mini-buses fully, they must increase buses fast,” he said.

Transport observers note that the Lekki–Epe corridor has witnessed explosive residential and commercial growth in the past decade, sharply increasing passenger volumes and peak-hour demand. Without a rapid expansion of fleet size and route coverage, they warn, commuters could face overcrowding, longer queues and rising informal transport costs on feeder roads.

“The key to any transport reform is capacity,” said urban mobility analyst Joshua Oladapo. “If supply does not immediately match demand, commuters experience hardship even if the long-term plan is sound.”

Despite concerns, many passengers acknowledge that Lagos must eventually formalise transport on the corridor to address chronic congestion and safety risks linked to unregulated mini-bus operations.

For commuters along the Lekki–Epe axis, however, the reform’s real test has already begun, not in policy documents, but at bus stops, where the question remains whether enough buses will arrive today, tomorrow and in the years ahead to replace the mini-buses they once relied on.