For commuters between CMS and Apapa, the question is no longer “boat or bus?” It’s now: “which boat?”
With Lagos State’s rollout of the sleek new Omi-Bus ferries to complement the older, iron-bench boats, residents like Jackson Igoche are finding fresh ways to escape traffic and choose comfort over chaos.
For Igoche, a Lagos-based real estate agent who lives in Apapa and works in Ikoyi, commuting by road is not an option he often considers.
“When there’s no traffic, it takes about 25 minutes,” he told Ikeja Record. “But that’s rare. I take the boat instead, it’s seven to ten minutes and far less stressful.”
Igoche has relied on the CMS–Apapa water route for four years, using the ferry services to avoid the gridlock that defines much of Lagos traffic. The fare, he says, is not only cheaper than road transport but also more predictable. Another regular commuter, Michael Mgbede, echoed this same sentiment.
“The boat fare is ₦700. If I take a bus from CMS to Apapa, I’ll spend around ₦1,200 to ₦1,300, So anytime I need to go to Apapa, I use the boat,” he said.
Introducing the Omi-Bus
Lagos isn’t new to traffic hell. On April 2, a nine-hour gridlock shut down Ozumba Mbadiwe and parts of Ikoyi after the federal government shut down Independence Bridge for repairs. It was chaos. But for those relying on water routes, the pain may have been limited..
A trip from CMS to Apapa by boat takes about ten minutes. The same trip, by road, could last up to 35 minutes on a bad day.
Until recently, most boats on the CMS–Apapa route operated by Texas Connection Ferries and other private companies were basic:long metal benches, no frills, and room for 15 to 30 people. Most times, you will find hawkers peddling herbal drinks with the cure to all illnesses on board.
But in March 2025, the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) introduced a more refined option: the Omi-Bus.
Locally built and part of a broader plan to modernize water transport, the Omi-Bus features cushioned seats, onboard security, life jackets, and charging ports for phones. It carries up to 40 passengers and offers a quiet ride, with no vendors allowed.
A commuter who has used the regular boats for five months, recently tried the Omi-Bus for the first time.“I prefer using the ferry because it is faster and easier,” Diamond Precious told Ikeja Record. Boarding the Omi-Bus for the first time is really nice.It’s comfortable and sleek compared to the regular boats.”
However, the Omi-Bus currently operates only on Saturdays and requires commuters to pay using Cowry cards–the same digital payment system used on BRT buses. A card can be purchased and topped up at the CMS terminal.
This limited access is a sticking point for some.
“They should make the Omi-Bus available every day, not just Saturdays,” another commuter, Mr Olatunji Badmus said. “People need options, not just on weekends.”
Safety is a major part of the ferry system’s appeal. LASWA enforces the mandatory use of life jackets and registers all passenger vessels. Boat operators are trained, and water guards are stationed at terminals to ensure compliance.
On one recent ride monitored by Ikeja Record, a regular ferry developed a fault just after docking. Rather than risk it, the captain stopped all boarding and waited for a backup boat to arrive. It took a few minutes, and some grumbles, but nobody protested.
Beyond safety, there’s a kind of peace on the water you just can’t get on the road.
“The breeze is refreshing,” Igoche said. “And the view of the water, the cargo ships – it’s calm. It’s something you don’t see if you are stuck in traffic.”