By Our Reporter
Omibus, an ultra-modern 40 passenger ferries built by Caverton Marine Limited in partnership with the Lagos State Government, will today commence its pilot operations within the state metropolis.
The Ministry of Transport and the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), confirmed this in a statement, emphasizing that the Omibus Pilot operations will focus mainly on thorough testing of the ferries, data collection, public awareness, and operational framework refinement ahead of full deployment for a period of two weeks.
The statement revealed that during the pilot operation period, the ferries will operate on three key routes, with one round trip per day on each route, both in the morning and another one in the evening.
“The Omibus ferries have received international endorsement for their safety standards from Interferry, a prestigious global ferry association, for meeting and exceeding IMO international standards. This acknowledgement underscores Caverton Marine’s commitment to safety and excellence in the design and construction of the Omibus ferries.
The joint statement pointed out that, “Embarking on this pilot scheme will also enable the promoters of this laudable Waterways transportation initiative to collect operational data, evaluate the operational costs, passenger experience, and overall efficiency of the Omibus ferries. And finally, to raise public awareness about the benefits of waterway transportation and the features of the Omibus ferries. Upon the success of the pilot programme, the management of both Lagos State Ministry of Transport and LASWA anticipate commencing regular passenger operations, with an increased frequency of trips per day. “Omibus ferries are with international safety and standards and offer a comfortable travel experience.”
The statement called on residents to support the government in its transformative journey towards alleviating traffic congestion and enhancing water transportation in the state.
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