Kunle Adelabu
The First and Last Mile (FLM) bus scheme, launched by the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo – Olu in May and which kicked off operations in Ikorodu some weeks back, has extended its operations to other parts of the Division.
The operation, which started on the Ikorodu to Agric route in Ikorodu which is Zone 7 on the State Government categorization, has now extended its operations to Ikorodu – Ijede and Ikorodu – Ibeshe communities.
Our reporter sighted three blue buses which have the inscription of ‘Ibeshe’ and ‘Ijede’ on Thursday (yesterday) at the Ikorodu garage.
The FLM buses loading point for the two communities is close to the traffic light at the terminal point of Lagos – Ikorodu lane at Ikorodu garage roundabout.
While the scheme introduced small buses for the Ikorodu – Agric route, big buses are dedicated to the Ijede and Ibeshe routes.
Speaking with an operator who sat at the entrance of one of the buses while passengers were boarding, he told our reporter that the fare from the Ikorodu garage roundabout to Ijede is N250, while that of Ibeshe is N150.
Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Governor of Lagos State, had launched the First and Last Mile (FLM) bus scheme with 500 buses and 100 high capacity buses, under the Lagos State Bus Service Limited (LSBL).
The Governor had launched the 500 units of First and Last Mile (FLM) buses with the aime of deploying them to communities as alternative means of transportation in addressing the security threat constituted by commercial motorcycles, popularly known as Okada.
The FLM vehicles, assembled locally, are mini-passenger buses (between 7 and 11 seater), which will operate on 286 community routes.
They will take passengers from closest points to their areas of residence and to standard transportation corridors. Payment for FLM services will be through an automated payment system, using Cowry Travel Cards.
