Lagos reads riot act to uber, taxi operators

HAVING observed with dismay the continuous use of State’s roads and infrastructure by vehicles that have not obtained the stage Carriage Permit as stipulated by the State’s Road Traffic Law, the Lagos State Government, on Wednesday, said it is set to commence the enforcement of the Stage Carriage Permit law on those who operate taxi schemes in various forms including Kabukabu, as well as those on technology platforms that provide linkages between operators and passengers.

The Law which is a provision of the Road Traffic Law mandates operators of any motor vehicle designed for the carriage of goods or passengers to obtain the permit.

Stressing the need to obtain the permit by those concerned in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Public Affairs Unit of the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, the Ministry said obtaining the permit will enable it to develop a robust database of all vehicles that falls within the category for safety and security, thereby raising the general public’s confidence in government policies.

The Ministry, therefore, enjoined those concerned to obtain the document as defaulters will henceforth be subjected to the provision of the relevant sections of State Road Traffic Law which stipulated penalty for such default.

The Ministry in the statement recalled that various engagements and advocacy meeting had been held to sensitise those concerned to government intentions and plans as well as its concern on the unregulated entrance of people into the taxi or mile to mile carriage in the state without appropriate licenses or authorisation by the State Government through the Ministry of Transportation as demanded by the same Law and subsequent regulations thereof.

The Ministry, therefore, reiterated that the provisions of the Law that regulates commercial passenger vehicle operators activities, which are designed to ensure safety, security, and reliability in that sector, are still relevant and will be enforced.

Recalling that the Stage Carriage Scheme has been in existence since 2009 when the New Taxi Scheme was launched, the statement noted that those who operate taxi schemes in various forms including Kabukabu, as well as those on technology platforms that provide linkages between operators and passengers, are operating without recourse to the Law.

Against this background, the Ministry said it will therefore not hesitate to enforce the relevant law of the state which it will continue to monitor and respond to appropriately to commuter safety and security as well as protect the interest of investors in the taxi business who comply with the provisions of the relevant laws of the state.