Rickety buses are ticking time bombs, Lagos VIS warns

The Lagos State Vehicle Inspection Service has advised residents to avoid boarding rickety vehicles, warning that they pose a serious threat to public safety.

The Director of VIS, Mr Akin-George Fashola, issued the warning in a statement released on Sunday and signed by Mrs Bolanle Ogunlola, Deputy Director of Public Affairs at the state Ministry of Transportation.

Fashola said several dilapidated vehicles had been recently impounded across Lagos for failing to meet safety standards.

He described the condition of the vehicles as “ticking time bombs,” citing expired tyres, weak brakes, and rusted body parts as major hazards.

The rickety vehicles have been linked to numerous accidents in the state, often resulting in loss of lives, injuries, and property damage.

Several critical issues common among the seized vehicles are unstable tires due to expiration, potential brake failure caused by makeshift repairs, and disjointed body compartments weakened by rust, all of which render them unfit for commercial use,” he said.

According to him, many of the vehicles operate mostly at night, putting unsuspecting commuters at even greater risk.

He urged the public to prioritise their safety and report any rickety vehicle sightings via the VIS complaint email — info@dvis.lg.gov.ng — or through the Ministry of Transportation hotlines: 09020004000 and 09020009000.

Fashola added that the seized vehicles would not be returned to service and assured the public that VIS was working with transport unions to keep Lagos roads safe.