The Lagos State Ministry of Transportation has reaffirmed the restriction of mini buses, popularly known as Korope, along the Lekki–Epe Corridor, declaring the policy a core component of the Bus Reform Initiative.
The Ministry made this known in a statement issued on Monday after a stakeholders’ meeting convened to address concerns arising from the reform, which limits operations on the corridor to medium and high-capacity buses.
Under the framework, mini buses are confined to inner routes, a development that recently triggered protests and public debate among operators.
The statement, e-signed by the Director of Public Affairs, Bolanle Ogunlola, said the reform was anchored on the Lagos Strategic Transportation Master Plan aimed at promoting structured and sustainable mass transit.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, explained that the initiative prioritises efficiency, safety and traffic management across major corridors.
“Instead of having ten smaller buses operating independently on a route, one large-capacity bus can transport the same number of passengers.
This translates to fewer vehicles on the road, reduced traffic congestion, lower environmental pollution, and improved economic productivity,” Giwa said.
He noted that transport operations along the corridor had been largely unregulated before the intervention, stressing that government action became necessary to ensure accountability and safety.
Giwa added that transport unions and corridor operators were engaged prior to enforcement and encouraged to formalise their operations through structured registration.
“To date, ten transport groups have successfully registered and are participating in the pilot phase of the initiative,” the statement said.
The Ministry urged operators yet to comply to complete their registration, stating that inclusivity and stakeholder collaboration remained central to the policy.
It also appealed to residents, traders and transporters within the Lekki–Epe axis to support the reform, describing it as critical to achieving a safer and more efficient transport system.
Lagos State Government described the restriction of unregulated mini buses along the Lekki–Epe Expressway as a permanent and data-driven policy following protests by drivers.
In a rejoinder signed by Giwa, the government condemned the blockade of the Ajah axis, warning that disruption of traffic along the corridor would not be tolerated.
The government maintained that stakeholder consultations preceded enforcement and urged operators to align with the regulatory framework guiding the corridor.