The successful integration of the SHE CAN tool into LAMATA's operational framework has triggered a significant change within both the Lagos transport sector and the organisation in itself. A Gender Equality Plan has been implemented, with a focus on prioritization to recruit female bus drivers and ground staff. SHE CAN Champions have been appointed within the organization in order to advocate for a safer transport environment. Additionally, the strong leadership buy-in facilitated the allocation of resources and ensured that gender integration was prioritized across all levels of the organization, from policy development to on-the-ground implementation in new bus terminals and ongoing construction of the 49km Quality Bus Corridors (QBC), Marina and Mile 2 Interchanges.

LAMATA engaged in extensive consultations with key partners, including transport unions, civil society organisations, and gender advocacy groups. These consultations helped to build a coalition of support around the initiative, addressing potential concerns and ensuring that the policy changes reflected the needs and realities of the broader community. Internally, awareness campaigns and training sessions were conducted to sensitise staff to the importance of gender integration. By framing the initiative as a critical component of LAMATA’s commitment to service excellence and passenger safety, the organisation was able to foster a culture that embraces gender inclusivity as a core value.

The expected results of these interventions are multi-faceted. Firstly, the recruitment of female bus drivers and conductors is anticipated to significantly enhance the safety and comfort of female passengers, who often face unique challenges and risks in public transport. The presence of female staff on board, as security and ground staff is expected to foster a more inclusive and secure environment, thereby encouraging greater use of bus services by women and other vulnerable groups.

Moreover, integrating gender considerations into LAMATA’s ISO Management Systems will likely lead to more comprehensive and sustained improvements in service delivery. By embedding gender sensitivity into the organisation’s standard operating procedures, LAMATA is positioning itself to better address the diverse needs of all passengers, ultimately contributing to a more equitable and user-friendly transport system in Lagos.

The re-activation of the Intelligent Transport System (ITS) and CCTV was a pivotal success factor, enabling real-time monitoring and response to incidents, thus enhancing overall security at the station. The review of Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) designs to integrate SHE CAN safety recommendations into the ITS for the 49km Quality Bus Corridor project and Marina and Mile 2 interchanges, further ensured that these safety enhancements were aligned with broader infrastructural developments across Lagos.

Another crucial factor was the strong partnership between LAMATA and the Inclusive Interchanges (T-TRIID) project. This collaboration facilitated the sharing of knowledge, resources, and best practices, enabling the integration of advanced safety features into the existing infrastructure (All stations along the Red Line Corridor, ongoing construction of stations for the Blue Line Phase 2-Mile2 to Okokomaiko and the 2 main Interchanges (Marina and Mile 2). The retrospective nature of these additions was a testament to LAMATA’s commitment to continuously improving passenger safety and adapting to emerging challenges.

Additionally, the decision to enhance lighting in dark areas and neighboring locations within the transit infrastructure played a significant role in improving safety perceptions and actual safety for passengers, particularly during evening hours. The separation of male and female toilets, which addressed potential safety risks associated with shared facilities, was another critical intervention that contributed to a more secure environment.

Lastly, the revision of passenger surveys to include questions on safety and comfort allowed LAMATA to gather valuable feedback directly from users, enabling continuous improvement based on actual passenger experiences and needs.

To secure support for these retrospective safety enhancements, LAMATA engaged in extensive consultations with key stakeholders, including local communities, transport operators, and gender advocacy organizations. These consultations were crucial in understanding the specific needs and concerns of passengers, particularly women and other vulnerable groups, and ensuring that the proposed measures would be effective and well-received.

LAMATA also worked to communicate the broader benefits of these safety enhancements, emphasizing how they would contribute to a safer, more inclusive transport environment. This helped to build a coalition of support among stakeholders, who recognized the value of these measures in improving the overall quality of service at bus and train stations.

Internally, LAMATA provided training for staff and surveillance officers to ensure they were prepared to manage the new safety features effectively. This included specific training on how to respond to incidents reported through the panic buttons, manage the re-activated ITS and CCTV systems, and ensure the proper functioning of safety protocols related to the lighting and segregated toilet facilities. These efforts were key to ensuring the seamless implementation of the safety enhancements and maintaining high standards of passenger safety.

Finally, encouraging the private sector to take on concessions of transit hubs for revenue generation through advertising and activation initiatives can significantly enhance security and vibrancy. Attracting businesses and activities to these hubs, the presence of people increases, creating a lively environment that naturally deters crime and enhances overall safety. This approach not only generates additional revenue for the upkeep and improvement of the facilities but also transforms transit hubs into dynamic community spaces, contributing to a safer and more engaging passenger experience.

The enhancements at train and bus stations are expected to yield significant positive outcomes. The installation of customer alert ‘panic’ buttons (at the Marina and Mile 2 Interchanges and QBCs)and the re-activation of ITS, on premises security personnel and CCTV systems provide passengers with direct and immediate means of seeking help in emergencies, which is likely to deter potential perpetrators of sexual harassment and other forms of misconduct.

The high-specification lighting is expected to enhance the overall visibility within the station, particularly during nighttime, creating a safer and more welcoming environment for all passengers. This, combined with the presence of surveillance officers and the separation of male and female toilets, is likely to increase the sense of security among passengers, particularly women, and encourage greater use of the train services.

The inclusion of safety and comfort questions in passenger surveys will enable LAMATA to continuously monitor the effectiveness of these measures and make further adjustments based on passenger feedback. This approach ensures that passenger needs remain at the forefront of safety and service improvements.

In the long term, the successful implementation of these safety features Bus and Train Station would serve as a model for similar interventions across other transport hubs in Lagos. By setting this new benchmark for safety and gender inclusivity, LAMATA is positioning itself as a leader in the development of gender-sensitive transport infrastructure, with the potential to influence broader national policies and practice both within Lagos and across Nigeria.

LAMATA has also delivered the Speak Up campaign to public transport passengers via a new collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Justice & the Lagos State Domestic & Sexual Violence Agency.

 The campaign video can be seen below.