80 female LAGBUS drivers employed

In empowering the women in the country, yesterday, Lagos State Government said it had employed additional 80 women as mass transit drivers, with Lagos Bus Asset Management Company, LAGBUS, in the state.

LAGBUS buses at their depot

This report came as it commenced training of 998 drivers of LAGBUS on accident prevention skills. Mr. Babatunde Disu, Managing Director, LAGBUS, disclosed this at the training for the fourth batch of LAGBUS captains at the Public Service Public Service Staff Development Centre, PSSDC Magodo. He said the firm is committed to creating a modern, secure and sustainable bus transportation service in Lagos and not leaving out women in this campaign.

 Mr. Seyi Osiyemi, General Manager for fleet operation, LAGBUS, explained the reason for this move for female drivers by saying, “We employed the female drivers to encourage the women who have interest in driving the LAGBUS buses. These 80 female have started their training on driving from the basics. These ladies do not have driving experience. We will first train them on how to drive car. After that, they will graduate to smaller buses; after which they will learn how to drive the big bus”.

 He added, “We expect this process to take between 3- 6 months. The ultimate plan is to have them driving the LAGBUS, the red bus. It takes a lot of time for people to embrace it”.

When asked about the number of applicants that applied for the job, he said; “We had about 200 women who filled application forms, so we short-listed and started with these first 80. We are also recruiting more males because we are refurbishing 180 buses which will be added to the fleet”.