In a significant move to improve the chaotic public transport system in Lagos, the Lagos State Government has announced a strategic partnership with the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to regularize and restructure operations of the popular yellow buses known as danfos. This was confirmed by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) in a statement issued on Monday.
According to LAMATA, the collaboration aims to bring order, accountability, and improved service delivery within the informal public transport sector, which danfo buses dominate. The authority emphasized that the initiative is part of the broader Lagos State Transportation Master Plan.
The regularization effort will focus on ensuring that danfo buses adhere to standardized routes, improved loading and disembarking practices, fixed fares, and enhanced driver conduct. The government is also working on digital fare payment integration and route tracking for better commuter experience.
LAMATA explained that while many Lagosians depend on danfos for daily commuting, the system currently operates with little regulation, often resulting in reckless driving, extortion, and constant clashes among transport unions. This partnership is expected to reduce such incidents and restore public confidence in road transport.
Through this collaboration, all danfo operators under the NURTW will be mandated to register under a unified Lagos State transport platform, undergo driver training, and upgrade their vehicles to meet safety and environmental standards.
NURTW executives welcomed the partnership, stating that the move would benefit both commuters and transport workers. They assured the government of their full support and promised to educate members to comply with the new transport policies.
Commuters have responded with mixed reactions. While some welcome the idea of orderliness and structured fare systems, others are skeptical about how well enforcement would be managed, especially given NURTW’s past history of internal disputes and alleged exploitation.
Transportation analysts have applauded the government’s approach to engaging stakeholders rather than imposing sudden crackdowns. They advise continuous monitoring, feedback systems, and enforcement mechanisms to make the plan sustainable.
The Lagos State Government reiterated that this reform does not aim to ban danfos, but to transition them into a modernized, safer, and more commuter friendly service. The success of this initiative could become a model for other cities across Nigeria grappling with informal transport systems.
As the implementation kicks off in phases across key transport corridors, the government has promised transparent updates and ongoing collaboration with the public to ensure that the system serves the people efficiently.
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