Gov. Sanwo-Olu revealed a new transportation program, warn NURTW, RTEAN

On the 18th of May 2021, Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, revealed a new transportation program that provides citizens with a better alternative to commercial motorcycles, which have one more chance to behave before being prohibited. Furthermore, those who frequently drive against the flow of traffic will be sentenced to three years in prison.

The Governor unveiled 500 First and Last Mile (FLM) buses, which will be deployed to communities as an alternate mode of transportation to combat the security danger posed by commercial motorcycles, or Okadas.

The FLM vehicles are mini-passenger buses (between 7 and 11 seats) that will operate on 286 community routes and were built locally. Passengers will be transported from the nearest points to their homes to normal transportation lines. FLM services will be paid for utilizing Cowry Travel Cards and an automated payment system. Cowry Travel Cardholders can use their cards on FLM buses as well as BRT and normal route buses.

However, on Wednesday, Mr Oluwatoyin Fayinka, the Special Adviser on Transportation to the Governor of Lagos State, stated that the State Government’s First and Last Mile (FLM) project is non-negotiable.

He made the announcement at a meeting with the Commissioner of Police, CP Hakeem Odumosu; the Leader of the Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Lagos Chapter, Mr Musiliu Akinsanya; and a representative of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Mr Albert Omotayo, Deputy Chairman (OPS) at the State Police Command in Ikeja on Wednesday.

According to Fayinka, the goal of the meeting was to seek additional complete cooperation from the State’s transportation stakeholders on the seamless operation of First and Last Mile (FLM) buses, which were inaugurated by the State Government to improve inner-community routes.

The NURTW and RTEAN were advised to engage with LAMATA (the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority) to guarantee that the FLM buses operating in select Lagos neighbourhoods functioned well.

CP Hakeem Odumosu, the Commissioner of Police, assured the stakeholders of his unwavering support by directing Area Commanders and DPOs in all 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas in the State to ensure the safety of passengers and FLM bus operators.