Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has unveiled a new award initiative aimed at recognizing the most responsive bus operating company to Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), as part of efforts to strengthen accessibility across Lagos State’s public transport system.
The announcement was made during a courtesy visit by the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), where management teams from both agencies met to deliberate on strategies to deepen inclusion within the state’s transit network.
LAMATA’s Managing Director, Abimbola Akinajo, received the LASODA delegation led by its General Manager, Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, and commended the agency for its sustained advocacy and engagement on disability inclusion.
Speaking during the visit, Mrs. Oyetunde-Lawal said LASODA has continued to sensitize the public and various clusters of PWDs on existing transport policies. She emphasized that while public transportation services are not free for PWDs, the provision of priority seating remains mandatory and must be respected by operators and commuters alike.
She also called for the integration of sign language video translations for public service announcements to be displayed on screens across bus and rail networks, noting that such measures would significantly improve access to real-time travel information for hearing-impaired commuters.
In addition to instituting the award for bus operators, LAMATA pledged to provide LASODA with greater visibility during its regular village meetings with transit operatives. The move is expected to enhance awareness, encourage compliance with accessibility standards, and foster stronger collaboration between transport stakeholders and the disability community.
By incentivizing bus operating companies to prioritize accessibility and responsiveness, LAMATA said it is advancing a more inclusive, equitable, and user-friendly urban transport system that serves all residents of Lagos State.
