According to reports, the Lagos State Government has concluded plans to do away with the popular danfo buses plying the state for high-capacity buses.
This is part of the government’s measures to raise the dignity of commuters and commercial vehicle drivers operating in the state.
Commissioner for Transportation in the state, Dr Dayo Mobereola, disclosed during the 2016 annual ministerial press briefing in Alausa, Ikeja, that the initiative would involve replacing the mini-buses, popularly called Danfo, with the high-capacity buses.
He also said the state government would introduce commuter protection number plates and body tags on buses to show their routes and enforce colour uniformity on all public transport systems in the state.
Mobereola added that the government had held consultation with road transport operators on the need to rebrand and professionalise the transport sub-sector.
His words, “Lagos State motor parks would be restructured in such a way that alcohol and illicit substances would not be there.
“We are going to teach transport operators in the state behavioural etiquette and how to talk to commuters.”
He said the present administration is determined to have public transport system that supports its megacity status where tendencies for violence are curbed, while drivers and conductors are retrained and registered.
Mobereola said arrangements were almost concluded to phase out the 14-seater commuter buses being used by commercial drivers and replace them with 30-seater buses with air conditioners.
He also hinted about plans to enforce the use of approved uniforms for commercial drivers and conductors, describing such as “a critical rebranding strategy that signposts confidence, trust, loyalty and stability.”
He said the “new vista of professionalism and identity anchored on unique number/dress code” would be implemented by the next quarter.
He said the taxi scheme, rail and water transport systems, would be covered in the transformation arrangements.
The commissioner said the rebranding would affect the state vehicle inspection service.
For instance, apart from increasing the staff strength by 200, the operation of its patrol officers had been extended to Saturday and Sunday.
“We intend a complete the reorientation of the VIS and strengthen its efficiency and effectiveness, including the extension of the area offices to 30,” Mobereola said, adding that the construction of the
VIS headquarters at Ojodu would provide a befitting and conducive environment for its operation.
He said the state government had plans to restructure motor parks in the state and introduce holistic ticketing system, through which people could download from the Internet and use for any mode of transport in the state without any hitch.
