The Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos State in May 1997 launched the Scholar’s Bus Scheme designed to transport pupils in the area at one naira per trip.
The scheme was launched with two 36-seater Mitsubishi buses that were refurbished from the Old Somolu Local Government transport service at N241,500.00.
The bus plied designated routes between 7:30 to 8:30am and 1:30 to 3:30pm every school day.
According to the then Kosofe LGA chairman, Prince Adesegun Adekoya, the scheme was for students whose schools were located within the area and who wore their uniforms at the scheduled times.
However, Prince Adekoya noted that the buses would also transport students whose schools are outside Kosofe to the bus stops nearest to their destinations.
Speaking further, the LGA boss said the scheme was the first item in a bumper package his administration had put in place to ensure academic development in the area.
Prince Adekoye noted that his vision was to put the LGA at the top among other councils in the state.
On their part, Kosofe students who joined the first ride were joyful and excited over the welcome development. They expressed immense gratitude to the Adekoya-led administration.
Recall that in 2023 Ikeja Record reported that the Ojodu LCDA led by its chairman, Segun Odunmbaku, launched a free transport scheme, benefiting students in the area.
The scheme was initiated to help cushion the harsh economic constraint of the fuel subsidy removal on the people of Ojodu and its environs.
However, it is not clear how sustainable free bus schemes are in Lagos. The Kosofe bus scheme appears to have been discontinued.