The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has moved to enforce traffic laws on some bus drivers of the Lagos State Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) across the State.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Bolaji Oreagba, announced this during a courtesy visit by a delegation from LAMATA led by its Director of Corporate Communication, Mr. Kolawole Ojelabi to the Agency’s Headquarters in Oshodi, Lagos.
Oreagba said the enforcement of Traffic Laws on unruly BRT bus operators has become necessary after a series of complaints by members of the public on the reprehensible behavior of some drivers, especially at major intersections in entire metropolis.
It is LASTMA to impose punishment on the unruly drivers of the BRT
Oreagba said, “It is no longer business as usual for some BRT drivers who regularly violate traffic rules and regulations without regard for the law and cause traffic obstructions on major roads across the State. .”
The LASTMA boss reiterated that any LAMATA bus driver caught driving against traffic (one-way), discharging passengers at an unscheduled bus/stop, or disobeying traffic officials/lights of traffic, will be taken care of, in accordance with the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Act. 2018.
He said, “LAMATA as a management should as a matter of urgency engage transport management experts to train and retrain their operators (drivers) to check their excesses.”
Mr. Oreagba also appeals to private motorists and commercial bus drivers to always obey all traffic rules and regulations.
LAMATA admits the rudeness of some BRT drivers
Also, speaking on the occasion, the Director of Corporate Communication, LAMATA, Mr. Kolawole Ojelabi called for a synergy between LAMATA and LASTMA in traffic management and enforcement.
He assured that LASTMA personnel will be invited to their quarterly ‘Village Meeting’ to educate and enlighten BRT bus drivers on basic traffic laws and signs.
Ojelabi said, “We are aware of the rudeness of some of these drivers and on a regular basis we remove and blacklist some so that they cannot work for another bus service company.”
He stated that any bus operator caught violating the traffic laws and regulations of the State should be held accountable according to the Law.