New transport policy to compel Lagos taxi operators to install metres in cabs

“With 10,000 registered taxi cars for example, the state government “can create more than 100,000 jobs.”

To encourage more private investments in the public transportation sphere in Lagos, the state government is to start the implementation of the new public transportation policy requiring taxi cab operators to introduce metre in their operations.

The electronic device to be installed in taxi cabs as obtained in some advanced economies and mega cities will allow both the passenger and cab operator to determine the exact fare to be charged depending on the distance covered.

 

In the same stroke, the government is to begin massive clampdown on all forms of illegal taxi operations in the state such that anyone found operating a taxi without due registration and licensing will be prosecuted.

Kayode Opeifa, the commissioner for transportation, told BusinessDay that the new rules form part of recently approved state policy on public transportation in line with the road traffic law which was signed into effect by Governor Babatunde Fashola in July 2012, aimed at repositioning public transportation in Lagos for sustainable development.

“We will start the metre system before the end of this year. Every taxi car will have a metre with which the fare of a distance covered will be determined,” Opeifa said, adding that the policy is designed to create more jobs and wealth across the strata of the state. “With 10,000 registered taxi cars for example, the state government “can create more than 100,000 jobs.”

Opeifa, who frowned at increasing cases of illegal taxi operations in Lagos, said there was the need to put measures in place to enhance passengers’ safety amid increasing insecurity across the land.

He said security operatives have started arresting those involved in illegal tax business. “It is legally wrong to operate taxi business within the state jurisdiction without proper registration with the state’s Vehicle Inspection Service VIS),” he said.

He noted that the state government “has issued a directive in this regard. It is different from the Lagos Road Traffic Law enacted in 2012. It is a directive of the state government and we have started enforcement. The taskforce has started arresting those parking in the front of hotels in different parts of the state.”

Opeifa explained that it was illegal to operate taxi in the state without registration with the state’s VIS. “Already, we have started to put an end to illegal tax operations on December 31. We cannot accept their operations again.”

Under the new policy, the commissioner said government will issue licence to taxi owners, as this will bring orderliness in the state transport system and ensure protection of lives and properties in the state.

He said more taxi parks are to be created to boost operations. “There will be taxi parks in Victoria Island, in Ikoyi, Obalende, Ikeja and Lekki, among others. There will also be taxi parks in the front of all major hotel facilities. We are also talking to the management of the airport and seaport to allow taxi parks within their complexes,” he said.