The Executive Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has announced that the state will launch “last mile buses” next week to serve as alternatives to commercial motorcycles, popularly known as okada.
Sanwo-Olu, who made the announcement during a stakeholders’ meeting on security in Lagos on Monday, said the state will roll out the buses in phases.
According to him, the buses are expected to serve as an alternative means to get into streets that cannot be readily accessed by the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) system.
Recall that the Lagos government In January 2020 banned commercial motorcycles and tricycles in 15 local councils of the state.
Sanwo-Olu said despite the ban, many okada and tricycle operators have continued to flagrantly disobey the law and, in some cases, resist enforcement by engaging in organised attacks on law enforcement agencies.
“We are excited to announce that next week, we will be launching what we term the ‘last mile buses’ that will ply inner roads and safely get commercial passengers to their final destinations,” the governor said.
“We envisage deploying over 500 of these buses to alleviate the pain associated with the restriction of motorcycle and tricycle operations.
“We also envisage that this initiative will also generate employment opportunities for Lagosians, including the commercial motorcyclist operators, who will be employed as operators of the last mile buses.”