Lagos govt to introduce 2000 CNG buses before end of 2024

Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Oluwaseun Osinyemi, has assured residents of the state government’s keen interest in improving transportation in the state. 

He equally disclosed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s plan to introduce 2000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses in the state before end of 2024.

Osinyemi expressed this commitment on Tuesday at the ministerial press briefing held at the Bagauda Kalto Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja.

The commissioner, who briefed the press alongside the State Commissioner for Information, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, and heads of departments under his ministry, said apart from the CNG buses, the state would also introduce 231 electrical buses which shall come into operation before June 2024.

According to Osinyemi, the electric buses shall be launched in batches, while the CNG buses shall be operated under Public Private Partnership (PPP).

On water transportation, the commissioner said the administration of Governor Sanwo-Olu, through the Ministry of Waterfront and Infrastructure Development commissioned seven jetties and terminals between 24th and 26th of May 2023 as part of efforts to promote the use of Water Transport in the state and in line with the THEMES+ development agenda of his administration.

He said these jetties and terminals were located in different parts of the state namely: Ilashe Amuwo-Odofin, Ijegun Egba, Amuwo-Odofin, Marina, Badagry, Isalu Ajido, Badagry, Offin Ikorodu, Ito Omu Epe and Liverpool, Apapa, noting that the newly commissioned jetties were officially handed to LASWA for Effective/Efficient Management.

The commissioner, while speaking on Lagos State Ferry Services, (LAGFERRY), disclosed that the agency is currently running public water transportation in 24 routes from 16 terminals/jetties through its 17 commercial boats and had recorded above two million riderships from inception to date.

“LAGFERRY has ferried over 2 million riders through Lagos Inland Waterways from inception to date,” he said.

He, however, stated that operators of the ferry services were charged with the responsibility of providing a viable alternative to road transportation, pointing out that the LAGFERRY “has become a standard for other boat operators to emulate with world class water transportation that offers safe, fast and reliable mode and improved technologies for excellent customer experience.”

He, however, disclosed that the state government was partnering with the private sector for the production of ferries, with 25 of such scheduled to be commissioned for use in the next few weeks, saying that “this would not only bring down the cost, but also ensure that they are produced in accordance with international safety standard and regulations.”

This was just as Osinyemi noted that the mandate of the administration on transportation, as outlined by Governor Sanwo-Olu upon his return for a second term in office, was structured to consolidate and advance key initiatives within the realm of Traffic Management and Transportation. 

“Topmost among these objectives are: expansion of Infrastructure, enhancing the intermodal transport system through the delivery of critical projects such as the intra-city Red Line Rail network, the establishment of a new airport in Ibeju Lekki, the development of a Deep Seaport in Badagry, and the progressive construction of the Fourth Mainland Bridge,” he said. 

Speaking further, the commissioner said from commencement of operation of the Blue Line Mass Transit- over 1 million passengers had been transported, adding that the Red Line when in operation would transport 250,000 passengers per day.

On the decision of operators of red buses to withdraw their services in the state on Monday, which left commuters stranded, the commissioner clarified that the operators were only requested to follow the law guiding operation of commercial vehicles in the state, maintaining that they needed to register with the state government.

According to him, the operators need to register with the state government and present information about the drivers and conductors of the buses as well as pay the 15-year arrears of levies they owe the state government.

“The Lagos State government has made great stride to: Provide more options for commuters, Enhance Integration between different modes of transport making it seamless to travel, Reduce traffic congestion at key major gridlock points with corresponding reduction in travel time, Promote a transport system that is integrated and give options to its citizens,” Osinyemi concluded.