Lagos deploys 65 buses on roads affected by okada ban

The Lagos state government says it will deploy 65 additional buses on roads affected by the okoda ban from Monday.

The state government commenced the implementation of okada and tricycle ban in 15 local councils on February 1 — after a previous announcement.

The action has led to an increase in transport fare by taxi drivers.

Addressing journalists on Sunday, Idowu Oguntona, chief executive officer of Lagos Bus Services Limited, said 65 additional buses would be deployed on some roads affected by the ban.

He said the state government made the decision to help fill in the vacuum created by the restriction order.

He said the buses would operate along Ikeja – Ogba route with a fare of N100; Berger – Ogba with a fare of N100; Ikeja – CMS with a fare of N200 and Oshodi – Ajah corridor with a fare of N500.

Other routes to be covered include Obalende – Ajah with a fare of N250; CMS – Ajah with a fare of N250 and Inner Marina – Ajah with a fare of N250.

Oguntona said commuters would enjoy the comfort of riding on the new buses, thereby reducing stress and saving them of exploitation from commercial drivers. He added that more buses would be deployed by the company soon.

The government’s banning of okada had led to a protest by operators of motorbike hailing services.

Spare-part dealers, tricycle operators and commuters have also reacted to the ban, some saying it would have a negative impact on the lives of many Lagosians.