As part of the efforts to cushion the likely effects of the planned partial closure of the Third Mainland Bridge on the commuting public, Lagos State Ferry Services (LAGFERRY) has disclosed that it will increase its daily trips on most of the routes it currently operates, just as it hinted that arrangements have been concluded to commence operations on two new routes.

The two new routes, according to a statement issued by the Managing Director, Lagos Ferry Services (LAGFERRY), Mr. Abdoulbaq Ladi-Balogun on Tuesday, are Ilaje-Bariga Terminal where passengers would be conveyed from Oworonsoki to Victoria Island to Falomo-Ikoyi to CMS-Marina and Ebute-Ero; as well as Bayeku to Oke Ra Nla to Badore.

He said the increase in the daily trips will see most of the large passenger-boats like the 50 Seater MV Mobolaji Johnson and MV Bola Tinubu embark on two trips every morning and evening respectively.

The General Manager added that the 30 Seaters MV Igbega Eko, MV Babatunde Fashola and MV Oba Akiolu will be increasing their operations to three in the morning and evening, while at the Ipakodo Terminal, the boats will operate from Ikorodu to Victoria Island, Falomo-Ikoyi, CMS-Marina and Ebute-Ero on Monday to Friday throughout the duration of the rehabilitation works.

According to him, “While the MV Alausa (60Pax), MV Ejirin (60Pax), MV Itesiwaju (60Pax) and MV Ipakodo (40Pax) are expected to embark on just one trip each in the morning and evening. Their operations on the new routes from Ilaje-Bariga Terminal to Victoria Island, Falomo-Ikoyi, CMS-Marina, Ebute-Ero will be on round roving trips from 8 am till 5 pm on daily basis in order to save commuters’ travel time as well as provide alternative means of transportation to Lagosians, especially people living and working on the Island’.

While assuring the public that arrangements are in place to guarantee their safety on the water, Ladi-Balogun maintained that adequate security arrangements have been made to protect passengers’ cars parked at the jetties of the new routes, adding that each of the jetties has secured parking spaces that would enable commuters to park their cars safely, board a boat and get to their destinations in record time.

He explained further that all LAGFERRY boats are built and equipped with modern technology and monitored in real-time to ensure passenger-safety, stressing that there would also be strict adherence to all safety regulations including the compulsory wearing of life jackets, washing of hands with water/sanitisers, temperature checks, maintaining physical distancing and operating within regulated hours.