Lagosians are stranded at bus stops. The bus shortage is acute. Fuel costs are high. Traffic is gridlocked. The situation has worsened in recent days. It comes just after Reno Omokri, a former presidential aide, claimed Uber left Lagos because all Lagosians now use the railway. That claim is false. Uber still operates in Lagos. The railway carries a fraction of daily commuters. The bus shortage exposes the gap between political narrative and daily reality.
Lagos transport has struggled for decades. The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system launched in 2008. It was meant to ease congestion. It never reached full capacity. In 2023, the fuel subsidy removal raised operating costs. Many transport companies reduced fleets. In 2024, Uber and Bolt drivers complained of low fares and high fuel costs. Some left the platforms. The rail lines have expanded. The Blue and Red Lines now carry thousands daily. But they serve specific corridors. Most Lagosians still depend on buses and danfos.
The bus shortage is driven by fuel costs and traffic. Operators say they cannot afford to run full fleets. Passengers wait for hours. Some walk long distances. The worst scenes are at major hubs like Oshodi, Yaba and Berger. The rail lines do not serve these areas directly. Feeder buses are inadequate. The government has promoted rail as a solution. It has not addressed the bus crisis.
Omokri’s claim that Uber left because of the railway is contradicted by the facts. Uber and Bolt remain active. Their drivers face the same fuel costs as bus operators. Many have reduced hours or left the platforms. The railway has not absorbed them. It cannot. The rail network moves far fewer people than the roads.
The transport crisis is structural. Lagos has over 20 million residents. The daily commute relies on a mix of buses, danfos, okadas and rail. When buses are scarce, commuters suffer. The government’s transport strategy focuses on rail. It has neglected the bus system that carries the majority.
Winners: Rail operators, who gain passengers on limited corridors. Okada riders, who fill gaps at higher fares. Private car owners, who avoid bus stops. Politicians, who can claim rail progress while ignoring bus failures. Losers: Commuters, who face long waits and higher costs. Bus operators, who cannot sustain fleets. The Lagos government, whose transport strategy is exposed. Reno Omokri, whose claim is contradicted by reality. Uber and Bolt drivers, who face continued pressure. The poor, who cannot afford okada fares.
Bottom Line: Lagosians are stranded at bus stops. The railway is not a substitute for buses. The claim that Uber left because everyone uses rail is not just wrong. It insults commuters waiting in the sun.