(Ecofin Agency) - The Lagos State government during the weekend revealed plans to kick-start a proposed Bus Reform Initiative this year with the sum of N30billion ($97 million). This initiative is aimed at providing Lagosians with an integrated public transportation system.

According to Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode (photo), the reform initiative is a three-year plan under which 5000 air-conditioned buses would be introduced to replace existing yellow commercial buses known as Danfo. “We decided that the best thing is to allow the yellow buses go and bring in new buses of 5,000 units in the three-year plan. The bigger size buses will take 70 people and then the medium range buses will take 30 people,” Ambode said.

He explained that his administration plans to fund the initiative by launching a 10-year N100billion ($323 million) public transportation infrastructure bond, adding that the government already has a sinking fund in place to inject into the bond. He urged commercial bus drivers, who would be beneficiaries, to conform to the initiative.

“This is just a paradigm shift where they move from being addressed as Danfo drivers but as professional drivers. It is something we have been working on in the last one year and we don’t come out to say we are going to do anything without working properly on it. We intend to go to bus parks to educate people”, the Governor explained.

Anita Fatunji