Government calls for transparency as Bolt releases Ride-Hailing Safety Perception Report….
The Lagos State Government has renewed its call for ride-hailing platforms, including Bolt and Uber, to share standardised transport data with regulators to improve commuter safety and mobility in Africa’s largest city.
Speaking at the release of Bolt’s Ride-Hailing Safety Perception Report in Ikeja on Wednesday, Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, represented by Director of Transport Operations, Olasunkanmi Ojowuro, stressed that accurate and transparent data are crucial for planning, regulation, and public safety.
“The future of transportation in Lagos is inseparable from innovation, data, and safety. Reliable data is the backbone of effective planning, enforcement, and sustainability,” Osiyemi said.
The state has long mandated e-hailing operators to maintain and share datasets such as verified driver and vehicle profiles, commuter manifests, trip records, incident logs, maintenance reports, and revenue data. Non-compliance, officials say, can attract sanctions, as seen in 2024 when Uber faced penalties for failing to fully adhere to data-sharing rules.
Osiyemi commended Bolt for commissioning the independent safety perception study, describing it as a forward-thinking initiative that aligns with Lagos’s vision for inclusive and data-driven mobility.
He added that data collected from ride-hailing platforms is not for surveillance, but rather to enhance safety, evidence-based decision-making, infrastructure planning, and emergency response.
The state government is pursuing public-private partnerships to integrate operators’ databases with Lagos’s digital infrastructure, ensuring accurate, synchronized, and actionable transport data.
“This initiative aligns directly with Mr. Governor’s THEMES+ Agenda on Traffic Management and Transportation, aiming for a safer, accountable, and innovative transport system,” Osiyemi said, applauding Bolt for supporting the state’s digital mobility goals.