The Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, Abimbola Akinajo, has urged passengers to report any reckless driving by state-owned bus drivers.
Emphasizing LAMATA’s zero tolerance for driver misconduct, Akinajo revealed that two drivers had recently been jailed for defrauding passengers.
Speaking at an event in Ikeja, Lagos, held in memory of the late Chief MKO Abiola, Akinajo reiterated that cash payments for bus fares had been discontinued, with passengers required to use cards instead.
Akinajo disclosed that two drivers are currently at the Correctional Centre, Kirikiri, for defrauding passengers.
“No passenger should pay cash to drivers of the government-operated BRT buses,” she said
She further explained the procedure for reporting misconduct stating that when you see any of our buses and you have any problem with them, please take note of the number. Not necessarily the plate number but the number on the bus. If you tell me the number of that bus, I can tell you who was driving at a point.
“If you tell me the number of that bus and what time, I can tell you where that bus was supposed to be and who was driving it. We have dealt with a number of our bus drivers. If a driver is misbehaving on the road, please send us a message; there are numbers on the LAMATA website.”
Reinforcing the ban on cash payments, Akinajo said, “We have a card system. Also note that on our buses, you are not supposed to pay cash.
“All of us should have that card so that drivers will not tell you there is no change, and ask you to drop or charge you more than expected.
“We have two drivers in Kirikiri today for defrauding our people. Lagos is not taking it lightly with them. If you report, they will be dealt with.”
