Lagos transport network goes digital

Lagos transport network goes digital

Lagos transport goes digital to alleviate the stress faced by their commuters by having a digital payment system that will reduce the cost of transportation. The management of  popular Lagos BRT buses the Lagos Metropolitan Area Authority (LAMATA), has officially joined Facebook last week. This is a part of the latest move by the authority to make its services more easily accessible to residents and the authority’s various deployments of technological tools in easing transport services in Lagos state.

On why Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has just joined Facebook, a senior media executive at LAMATA, Charles Edosomwan, said it was for the development plan of the authority and its phase where they are engaging the general public through the social media platform.

Through the Facebook page residents can basically get any resource materials they want and can also ask any questions. It would also be a platform where complains can be made about BRT bus links, Edosomwan said. The LAMATA Facebook page is being positioned as an online resource center and through it, it is easier for LAMATA to cover Lagos area.

The transport authority will also drive traffic from its TV programme (LAMATA half hour) to the page in case people want to ask questions.

A few weeks ago, the authority had unveiled LagosConnect Card on BRT buses. People had likened it to the London transport oyster but this is quite different.The LagosConnet Card if aimed at curbing the issue of flat rates on the buses. It is rechargeable and helps users get discount on transport fares. There are several station where this card can be charged and its fully functional now on some routes in Lagos.

Answering the question: What has been the level of acceptance among Lagos residents? Edosonwan said.

As evident on the Facebook page, the level of acceptance has been very high and a lot of Lagos residents are using the service.

When we went on a road show to assess the level of acceptance of the service, we spoke to lots of people so that we won’t just rely on data. A lot of people we spoke to said they prefer the service. A lot of Lagosians are using it.

To ensure active engagement of residents, we put up trivia questions and we recently gave out free cards to winners and we are getting good feedback from them.

Lagos transport network goes digital