In a bid to improve public transport accessibility and reduce congestion, the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has rolled out new blue‑and‑white mini‑buses as part of its “First and Last Mile” (FLM) scheme. These 11‑ to 13‑seater vehicles will serve feeder routes in communities such as Agege, Iyana‑Ipaja and Ikorodu, linking residents to major bus and rail corridors. (lamata-ng.com)
According to LAMATA’s official presentation, the FLM scheme is designed to complement existing larger bus and rail services by operating distinct zones across Lagos, including Zones 4 (Lagos Island & Eti‑Osa) and Zone 7 (Ikorodu). Operators will use a unified e‑ticketing system (the Cowry card) already in place for larger transit services. (lamata-ng.com)
One early sighting of the new mini‑bus service was between Agege’s Pen Cinema Bridge and Iju Ishaga, where buses painted in blue and white were seen offering rides to commuters. (facebook.com)
However, the deployment comes amid challenges in the informal transport sector. Research on informal mini‑buses (locally known as “danfo”) highlights variables such as variable fares, unpredictable schedules and safety concerns — pointing to the importance of better regulation and integration. (sciencedirect.com)
Sources:
Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority – First and Last Mile Bus Scheme overview. (lamata-ng.com)
Facebook footage of blue & white Lagos mini buses spotted in Agege to Iju Ishaga. (facebook.com)
Lagos State Government statement on integrating minis/midis (Korope & Danfo) on Lekki‑Ajah corridor. (lagosstate.gov.ng)
Academic assessment of factors affecting informal minibus operators in Lagos. (sciencedirect.com)
