PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Bus public transport operation in Lagos is characterized by high levels of fragmentation and indiscipline. There are no fewer than 100,000 different types of buses owned almost exclusively by individuals, one or two each, which they drive themselves or hire out to drivers on a daily rental basis.
Before the implementation of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, the state had witnessed the use of different types of vehicles for public transportation. In the late 1960s and 70s the Bolekajas (wooden lorries used for carrying goods and passengers) were in vogue. At the twilight of that decade, the Molues (midi buses) became the in-thing. Following the reformation of the bus system, the Lagos State Government established the Lagos State Transport Corporation (LSTC) but soon ran aground due to management challenges.

Existing rail corridors are very few and grossly under-utilized. The Nigerian Railway Corporation operates only one train per day in each direction of the Agbado-Agege-Iddo corridor, although efforts are on to resuscitate the services with the recent acquisition of new coaches and wagons by the Federal Government.

The Use of the waterways in Lagos is regulated by the National Inland Waterways Authority, a federal agency. But with the establishment of an agency, Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) to regulate activities on its waterways, the Lagos State Government has signaled its seriousness to promote water transportation. Some ferry operators have been licensed to provide ferry services and have built a number of jetties along the waterways of Lagos.

The potential of both rail and water transport remain largely untapped as they carry less than one percent of overall traffic in Lagos.

Infrastructure facilities for non-motorized transport are extremely limited throughout the metropolitan area, and they receive little or no maintenance attention. However, new road designs have now incorporated sidewalks, pedestrian bridges and pedestrian crossing facilities.

Bolekaja of the late 70s

The ubiquitous molue

A bus belonging to the defunct Lagos State Transport Corporation

BRT buses in operation