Lagos to phase out korope buses from major highways

Lagos State Government has confirmed plans to gradually withdraw small commercial buses, commonly known as korope, from major highways as part of a broader strategy to modernise the public transport system and improve commuter safety.

The decision was reiterated at a stakeholder meeting held ahead of the launch of the Lekki-Epe Bus Reform Scheme, which is set to begin operations on December 8, 2025.

The meeting brought together the Ministry of Transportation, the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, LAMATA, and representatives of informal transport operators to conclude arrangements for the first phase of the initiative.

The reform will introduce exclusive, fully regulated bus services across major transport corridors, including Ajah–CMS (Marina)/Obalende, Ajah–Oshodi, Ajah–Berger and Ajah–Iyana Ipaja. Services will later be extended to Epe.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, LAMATA’s Head of Corporate Communication, Kolawole Ojelabi, said Special Adviser on Transportation, Sola Giwa, who presided over the meeting, explained that the state’s long-term objective is to eliminate unsafe and unregulated vehicles from high-traffic routes and replace them with a more efficient, coordinated system.

He said the government aims to enhance passenger comfort, improve safety standards, and ensure better travel experiences for residents.

“We need to take a lot of bad buses off the road. The Lekki–Epe Expressway is not isolated. We are working on other major transit corridors.

“The State Government also plans to remove the small buses, known as korope, from major highways and reassign them to feeder and community routes to strengthen the First and Last Mile bus scheme,” Giwa said.

Under the new structure, the currently regulated operator on the corridor will continue stage-carriage services, while Oneness, a collaborative group of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, has been approved to operate express services between Ajah, Oshodi and Berger.

All buses under the scheme will bear Lagos State’s official blue-and-white regulated colours and carry quick-response, QR, codes for verification, unique identification numbers, and Touch and Pay, TAP, stickers. Drivers will also be required to wear official Ministry of Transportation badges.

A total of 229 medium- and high-capacity buses will operate in the first phase, with fare payments strictly limited to the Cowry card electronic system.

Giwa cautioned that any transport operator or passenger involved in cash transactions on the corridor will be arrested and prosecuted.