The Enugu State Government has unveiled plans to restrict the movement of tricycles (Keke), yellow buses, and minibuses on five major corridors within the state capital as preparations intensify for the rollout of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system.
The Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Obi Ozor, disclosed this on Monday during a consultative meeting with transport unions and stakeholders at the ministry’s headquarters in Enugu.
According to him, the affected corridors include:
- Okpara Avenue – Abakaliki Road – New Haven Junction – Naira Triangle – Emene Airport,
- Ogui Road – Chime Avenue – Naira Triangle,
- New Haven Junction – Bisala Road – Rangers Avenue – WAEC – Nkpokiti – Zik’s Avenue,
- Ogui Road – Presidential Road – WAEC – Nkpokiti, and
- The entire Agbani Road axis.
These routes, he explained, will become dedicated BRT lanes as part of Governor Peter Mbah’s vision to reposition Enugu as a modern, multimodal, and globally competitive urban centre.
Dr. Ozor stressed that tricycles were not built for high-speed roadways, noting that their presence on major highways endangers lives and obstructs smooth traffic flow.
“This reform is not about displacing anyone,” he said.
“It is about reorganizing the transport ecosystem so BRT buses operate on primary routes, yellow buses serve secondary roads, and tricycles provide last-mile connectivity. Everyone retains a place in the value chain.”
He also revealed that the state had taken delivery of 200 CNG-powered BRT buses and 4,000 electric taxis, to be assembled at ANAMMCO in Enugu.
The first batch of 1,000 taxis is expected within three months.
As part of the evolving transport network, the government has constructed 84 modern bus shelters, built around safety, accessibility, and affordability.
With approximately two million daily commuters in Enugu, Dr. Ozor said the city requires a minimum of 8,000 buses to meet demand.
The newly acquired BRT buses, he said, come equipped with padded seating, functional air-conditioning, WiFi, and safety monitoring systems.
“No passenger stands in these buses,” he noted. “Every vehicle is monitored from our central command centre, and BRT fares now enjoy a 47% subsidy to ease transportation costs.”
The commissioner announced resolutions reached at the stakeholder meeting, including:
- Transport unions interested in BRT or terminal operations must submit proposals and financial models for government assessment.
- The state’s electronic fare system, Ije Card, will be decentralized, with sales points expanded to reach five million residents within the next 90 days.
- Allocation of loading bays at new terminals will be finalized soon following ongoing review processes.
He urged transport operators to explore financing options that would enable them acquire buses or participate directly in BRT operations.
Stakeholders expressed broad support for the reforms.
Comrade Chidiebere Aniagu, Enugu State Chairman of RTEAN, said the union endorsed the transformation agenda but appealed for government attention to members’ concerns.
NURTW Chairman, Engr. Augustine Agu, also praised Governor Mbah’s developmental strides: “Governor Mbah has achieved in two years what others couldn’t deliver in eight.”
“His private-sector discipline is clear. We support him fully,” he said, while urging the state to consider unions in the operation of BRT buses and terminals.
Representing the Amalgamated Tricycle Riders Association, Comrade Kingsley Edeh noted that the state has over 18,000 tricycle riders and appealed for taxis to be made accessible for members wishing to transition.
The transport commissioner has since inaugurated a joint review committee made up of ministry officials and transport union representatives to finalize operational guidelines ahead of the full rollout of the BRT scheme.
The launch date will be announced soon.
