The Lagos State Ministry of Transportation has reaffirmed the restriction of mini buses, popularly known as Korope, along the Lekki–Epe Corridor, describing the policy as a key component of the state’s Bus Reform Initiative.
The Ministry made the announcement on Monday following a stakeholders’ meeting aimed at addressing concerns arising from the reform, which limits operations on the corridor to medium and high-capacity buses. Under the framework, mini buses are restricted to inner routes, a move that recently sparked protests and public debate among operators.
In a statement e-signed by the Director of Public Affairs, Bolanle Ogunlola, the Ministry said the reform is anchored on the Lagos Strategic Transportation Master Plan, which seeks to promote structured and sustainable mass transit.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, said 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,” he said.
Giwa noted that transport operations along the corridor were largely unregulated before the reform, making government intervention necessary to ensure accountability and safety. He added that transport unions and corridor operators were engaged prior to enforcement and encouraged to formalise their operations through structured registration.
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“To date, ten transport groups have successfully registered and are participating in the pilot phase of the initiative,” the Ministry said. Operators yet to comply were urged to complete registration, with the government emphasising that inclusivity and stakeholder collaboration remain central to the policy.
The Ministry also appealed to residents, traders, and transporters along the Lekki–Epe axis to support the reform, describing it as critical to achieving a safer and more efficient transport system.
Earlier reports indicated that the Lagos State Government had described the restriction of unregulated mini buses along the corridor as a permanent and data-driven policy following protests by drivers. In a statement, Giwa condemned blockades along the Ajah axis and warned that traffic disruption along the corridor would not be tolerated, stressing that stakeholder consultations had preceded enforcement.