The Lagos State Government has unveiled plans to acquire 5,000 new buses to the public transport system to complement transportation services being provided under its Bus Reform Initiative designed to ease transportation problems in the state.

The initiative aims at revolutionizing public transportation and usher in ease of connectivity within the state.

In addition to the Intelligent Transport System mechanism of the programme, which will aid commuters to plan their journeys, other features of the scheme, including modern bus terminals, bus depots, bus stops and segregated lay-bys are also being invested in by the government in strategic locations across the state.

Commenting on the project, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Dr. Taiwo Salaam, pointed out that apart from going a long way to ensure that transport activities were conducted in a safe and comfortable environment, the modern bus stops would also ensure free-flow of traffic as there would no disruption to vehicular movements.

Salaam listed features of the bus stops to include comfortable bus shelter, lay-by, lighting, walkways, guard-rails, wire-mesh fencing for pedestrian protection and passenger information system, among others.

According to him, the project, which was conceptualised, designed and being constructed by an indigenous construction firm, Planet Projects Limited “will facilitate construction of over 300 bus stops and lay-bys across the state.

The Permanent Secretary explained that this was in line with the state government’s agenda to have world class transportation system to the state.