The Lagos State Government has announced plans to gradually remove small commercial buses, popularly called korope, from key highways. This move is part of a larger effort to modernise public transportation and boost commuter safety.
The announcement came during a stakeholder meeting ahead of the Lekki-Epe Bus Reform Scheme launch, scheduled for December 8, 2025.
The meeting included officials from the Ministry of Transportation, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), and informal transport representatives to finalise preparations for the initiative’s first phase.
The reform will introduce fully regulated, exclusive bus services on major routes like Ajah–CMS (Marina)/Obalende, Ajah–Oshodi, Ajah–Berger, and Ajah–Iyana Ipaja, with plans to extend services to Epe later.
LAMATA’s Head of Corporate Communications, Kolawole Ojelabi, said Special Adviser on Transportation, Sola Giwa, emphasised the government’s goal to remove unsafe and unregulated vehicles from busy roads and replace them with a more efficient and coordinated transport system.
“The state is focused on taking many of the unsafe buses off the roads. The Lekki–Epe Expressway is just the start; other major transit corridors will follow,” Giwa said.
The government also plans to redirect korope buses from major highways to feeder and community routes to strengthen the First and Last Mile bus service.
In the new system, current stage-carriage operators will continue their services, while Oneness, a coalition of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), has been approved to run express buses between Ajah, Oshodi, and Berger.
All buses in the scheme will feature Lagos State’s official blue-and-white colours, QR codes for verification, unique IDs, and Touch and Pay (TAP) stickers. Drivers will also wear official Ministry of Transportation badges.
The initial phase will see 229 medium- and high-capacity buses in operation, with fare payments strictly via the Cowry card electronic system.
Giwa warned that anyone—operator or passenger—caught using cash for fares on these corridors will face arrest and prosecution.
