The Nigeria Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to participate in the Lagos State Bus Industry Transition Programme (BITP), a major step towards modernising public transportation in the state.
The agreement, facilitated by the Lagos State Government through the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), will integrate informal commercial transport operators, including yellow danfo buses, into a regulated and structured public transport system.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Olawale Musa, described the MoU as a new chapter for public transport, saying it reflects the government’s commitment to delivering a safer, more efficient and sustainable transport network.
Under the agreement, transport unions will adopt a cooperative governance model to transition members into franchise operators, while fare collection will be fully digitised to improve transparency and operational efficiency. LAMATA will provide regulatory oversight across designated bus corridors.
LAMATA Managing Director, Engr. Abimbola Akinajo, said the agreement followed more than 30 months of engagement with transport unions, adding that the initiative could become a model for cities seeking to modernise public transportation while ensuring the inclusion of existing operators.
The Bus Industry Transition Programme is expected to improve service delivery, enhance commuter safety, boost operational efficiency and create a more sustainable and investor-friendly public transport system across Lagos State.
