In line with the Lagos State government’s directive to commercial transport operators to limit their carriage capacity to 60%, Starting Monday, April 4, Buses operated by the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) scheme will begin operations with 21 passengers as against the normal 70 .
in a meeting,on Thursday,with its transport franchisees,the Managing Director of Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) and the regulator of the BRT scheme,Abimbola Akinajo,also said that standing would be suspended and air-conditioning system will not be used.
At the meeting, which had in attendance,the Managing Director, Primero Transport Services Limited, Operator of the Ikorodu-TBS Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, Fola Tinubu and Managing Director, Lagos Bus Services Limited (LBSL), one of the operators of the Lagos Bus Reform Initiative, Idowu Oguntona, Akinajo further stated that operators must ensure that passengers wear face mask at all times.
They should also make provision for alcohol-based sanitizer or handwashing with soap under running water before and after each trip.
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According to her, operators were expected to disinfect their vehicles, and depots regularly under the supervision of the Ministry of Environment and Water resources in order to ensure standards and safety of the disinfectant being used.
“Transport operators are also expected to have at the entrance of their respective terminals hand washing equipment with running water and alcohol-based sanitizers while they are also expected to provide alcohol-based sanitizers in their vehicles for drivers, inspectors and passengers;
“Bus terminals and bus stops must not be overcrowded with passengers and commercial activities at any point in time. Social distancing is required for passengers queuing to board buses. NCDC recommends that at least two metre distance is required between people,” She said.
Operators are to provide temperature readers to test each passenger before boarding the bus, they (commuters, drivers and inspectors) are also mandated at all times to wear personal protective equipment- face masks and hand gloves.
Akinajo added that passengers may report any operator that failed to comply with the guidelines to the monitoring officer at sight or write to LAMATA stating the vehicle registration number, its unique code, time of incident and location.
