The Enugu State government has announced plans to restrict tricycles (Keke), yellow buses and minibuses from major highways in the state capital as preparations intensify for the launch of the city’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system.
The Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Obi Ozor, disclosed this during a consultative meeting with transport unions and stakeholders at the ministry’s headquarters in Enugu State on Monday.
He said the measure is necessary to ensure the smooth implementation of Governor Peter Mbah’s mass transit reforms aimed at transforming Enugu into “a modern, multimodal and globally competitive city.”
The affected routes include the Okpara Avenue–Abakaliki Road–New Haven Junction–Naira Triangle–Emene Airport corridor; 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 stretch.
According to Dr. Ozor, these roads will become dedicated BRT corridors.
“We must be open to change. This reform is not about taking anyone’s job,” he told union leaders.
“It is about reorganising the system so that BRT buses operate on the primary roads, yellow buses serve secondary routes, and tricycles provide last-mile connectivity. Everyone has a place in the value chain.”
He explained that tricycles were never designed for high-speed highways and their presence on such roads often disrupts traffic and endangers commuters.
Dr. Ozor revealed that the state has procured 200 CNG-powered BRT buses and 4,000 electric taxis, which are to be assembled locally at ANAMMCO.
The first 1000 taxi, he said, will be ready within three months.
To support the new system, the government has already built 84 bus shelters across Enugu.
He added that with an estimated two million daily commuters, Enugu needs at least 8,000 buses to meet demand. The new BRT buses, he noted, come with padded seats, air-conditioning, WiFi, and comprehensive safety monitoring.
“Passengers do not stand in these buses, and every vehicle is tracked from our central command and control centre,” he said.
“We have also approved a 47 percent fare discount to cushion transportation costs for citizens.”
On operations, he announced that transport unions interested in running BRT buses or managing terminals must submit proposals, including financial plans, for government assessment.
He also disclosed that the state’s electronic fare system, the Ije Card, will be decentralised so that sales points reach five million residents within 90 days.
Addressing concerns about delays in allocating loading bays at the new terminals, Dr. Ozor said submissions are still under review but will be finalised soon.
He urged operators to take advantage of available financial facilities to acquire their own buses or invest in the BRT ecosystem.
“There are enormous investment opportunities as Enugu expands its connectivity to other cities,” he said.
Transport unions at the meeting expressed support for the reforms while appealing for consideration of their members’ interests.
The Enugu State Chairman of RTEAN, Comrade Chidiebere Aniagu, said the union is not opposed to the changes.
“We understand the long-term benefits of this transformation. All we ask is that the concerns of our members are addressed,” he said.
Representing the Amalgamated Tricycle Riders Association, Comrade Kingsley Edeh noted that there are about 18,000 Keke riders in Enugu and appealed for affordable alternatives for those willing to transition. He welcomed assurances that no operator would be displaced but reorganized into a more efficient transport structure.
At the end of the meeting, Dr. Ozor inaugurated a joint review committee comprising ministry officials and union representatives to finalise operational modalities ahead of the full rollout of the BRT buses.
The state government is expected to announce the official launch date soon
