Sanwo-Olu launches cashless ‘First and Last Mile’ bus scheme

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos governor, has launched the ‘First and Last Mile’ bus scheme in Lagos.

The launch, which took place on Tuesday at the Sports Ground, Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja is expected to operate a cashless payment system and make use of the central ticketing system used by all public transport modes in the state.

Commenting on the development, which took place on Tuesday at the Sports Ground, Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja,  Jubril Gawat, senior special assistant to the governor on new media, said: “The first and last mile bus scheme which are small capacity (7-11) passenger buses which will travel on routes designed to take you closest to and from your origin and destination. The FLM is the last layer of the Bus reform Initiative for Lagos state, which comes from the Lagos state transport master plan developed by LAMATA.

“These buses will connect community routes to the major BRT bus stops, bus terminals, ferry terminals as well as train stations. The implementation of the First and Last Mile Bus Scheme followed the restriction of the operations of tricycles and motorcycles in six local government areas and nine local council development areas.

“FLM scheme will be run by private operators who will work with the state. For participation in the bus scheme, the State Government shall support private operators in the Bus acquisition under a Bus Finance Scheme. The FLM buses shall be outsourced to the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) and they shall be responsible for executing all preventive and corrective maintenance needs.”

He added: “A central maintenance workshop shall be provided by the bus supplier where local technicians shall be trained from time to time and they shall receive certification to be the OEM certified technicians. The cowry card system shall be deployed on the FLM bus operations just like the BRT Scheme where you can just tap in”.