Lagos, Nigeria - In keeping with a practice that started in 2008, operators of the novel Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in Nigeria's economic capital city of Lagos have announced a free bus service for the city's residence on Christmas and New Year days.

The operators, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) and LAGBUS, will make 240 buses available for the two days, to ease movement by the estimated 12 million residents of the city.

LAMATA boss Dayo Mobereola told journalists that studies by the Authority had shown that commuters usually go through a harrowing experience during festive periods because of fewer commercial buses on the roads.

He said the free bus service would also help prevent the accidents usually associated with festive seasons, as a result of drunk driving and other bad driving habits.

Under the city's BRT system, the uniquely-painted buses ply dedicated lanes that help them to beat the city's characteristic gridlock.

Pana 23/12/2011