Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, has launched a new transport initiative designed to support students, the elderly, and vulnerable individuals in the Surulere area of Lagos State. The program, named GbajaRide, was introduced on Saturday as a way to enhance public mobility for those most in need of accessible transport options.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In his address at the unveiling, Gbajabiamila emphasized that the GbajaRide initiative is a result of the government’s commitment to improving the lives of its citizens and empowering them to achieve more. He stressed that reliable, efficient, and safe public transport is crucial, particularly for those who are financially strained or face physical challenges. The program, he noted, could be the key to ensuring timely school attendance, prompt medical care, and timely job opportunities, especially for the youth, elderly, and other vulnerable groups.

“We are offering free transportation to secondary school students within Surulere, ensuring they can travel to school safely and on time. Parents in these areas no longer need to worry about transport fees or the safety of their children during their commute,” Gbajabiamila stated.

Beyond the school runs, the buses will be available for local commuters at a discounted rate—25% below the usual fare for routes covered by the scheme. This is part of the plan to maximize the buses’ use, ensuring they don’t remain idle outside school hours.

Highlighting the broader vision behind the initiative, Gbajabiamila reinforced that the government’s role is to create conditions that enable individuals to pursue their ambitions and thrive. He also reiterated that priority would be given to senior citizens, the less abled, pregnant women, and mothers traveling with young children.

The program will be managed in collaboration with the Lagos Metropolitan Transport Agency (LAMATA) to ensure its sustainability and efficiency. Gbajabiamila called on all stakeholders—drivers, conductors, and passengers—to care for the buses as if they were their own.

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Kayode Opeifa, lauded the program, calling it a model that could be adopted by other states. He highlighted that, aside from providing free transportation, the scheme would also create employment opportunities for Lagos residents, while encouraging greater school enrollment.