By The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) announced on its official social media accounts on Wednesday that “it is illegal for any vehicle other than designated Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses and vehicles operating under franchises duly regulated by LAMATA to use the BRT lane.”
According to the statement, “the only exceptions to this rule are emergency response vehicles such as fire trucks and ambulances, and only when responding to emergencies.”
The authority said it has observed “a growing and flagrant abuse of the BRT lane by unauthorized users,” including “some military personnel, para-military agencies, local government and Local Council Development Area (LCDA) buses, as well as private vehicles,” describing the trend as “deeply concerning.”
LAMATA explained that “the BRT lane was specifically designed to provide fast, reliable, and safe mass transit for the commuting public,” warning that unauthorized use “disrupts scheduled operations, endangers passengers and other road users, contributes to traffic congestion, and erodes the gains made in improving urban mobility across Lagos State.”
The statement further added that “the regulations guiding the use of the BRT lane remain in full force and will be strictly enforced,” adding that “all offenders, regardless of status or affiliation, will be apprehended and prosecuted in accordance with the relevant traffic laws of Lagos State.”
LAMATA added that “penalties may include fines, impoundment of vehicles, and other legal sanctions as prescribed by law,” stressing that compliance is mandatory for all road users.
The authority called on stakeholders to cooperate, in its words: “we therefore call on all road users, including security agencies and government bodies, to respect the integrity of the BRT system and comply fully with established regulations.”
LAMATA reaffirmed its position, noting that “the Authority remains committed to ensuring order, safety, and efficiency across the state’s transport network and will not hesitate to take decisive action against violators.”
