To address transport inequity in underserved neighborhoods like Ogijo and Isheri-Oshun, we began by collecting data with GPS-enabled smartphones to track travel patterns.

Volunteers conducted door-to-door surveys, guerilla interviews, and organized focus group discussions with residents to gather qualitative data on daily commuting challenges, preferred routes, travel costs, and peak travel times. The surveys included detailed questions about journey durations, waiting times at bus stops, and the frequency of missed trips due to unreliable services.

We also installed GPS trackers on a few volunteers’ vehicles to gather real-time data on travel routes and congestion points. All collected data was logged into a central database, creating a comprehensive map of transport patterns in these peripheral neighborhoods.

This grassroots approach ensured that our data was rich in local context and accurately reflected the transport needs and barriers faced by the residents.

Once we collected data from Lagos' peripheral neighborhoods, the next phase involved detailed analysis using machine learning to uncover spatial trends and relationships. Collaborating with undergraduate students from the University of Lagos, we first cleaned and pre-processed the raw data, which included GPS logs, survey responses, and recorded travel times.

Clustering algorithms, including K-means, revealed that neighborhoods like Ikorodu and Badagry had the highest incidences of long waiting times and missed trips, highlighting that the distance to the nearest bus stop was a significant predictor of travel costs and time, particularly in areas over 2 kilometers away from the nearest stop.

Network analysis mapped the most congested routes, identifying key bottlenecks during peak hours, such as the Ikorodu Road and the Lagos-Badagry Expressway. This showed a statistically significant contrast in service frequency between affluent areas, like Victoria Island, which had frequent BRT services, and poorer peripheral areas that had sporadic and unreliable services, illustrating how congestion and delays propagated through the system, with significant delays during the 6-9 AM and 4-7 PM windows.

One notable trend here was the correlation between the high reliance on informal transport (okadas and keke napeps) in underserved areas, increased travel expenses, and longer commute times.

After analyzing the data, we distilled the insights to identify the most effective solutions. The analysis revealed 3 critical insights: the peripheral neighborhoods of Ikorodu and Badagry faced severe transport inequity due to inadequate BRT coverage, the most prominent consequence was long distances to and from bus stops, and this resulted on overreliance on informal transport in inner and peripheral neighborhoods.

Using this data, we synthesized the findings into a focused solution framework. We identified the need for establishing feeder routes that connect underserved neighborhoods to main BRT lines, thus reducing travel time and cost. We also recognized the importance of smaller shuttle services to navigate narrower, less accessible roads, ensuring consistent and reliable transportation for all residents.

With the key insights in hand, we mapped new feeder routes to bridge the transportation gap in Lagos' underserved neighborhoods. We began by identifying critical areas with the highest demand for public transport, focusing on peripheral and inner neighborhoods like Ikorodu and Isheri-Oshun.

Using geographic information systems (GIS) to visualize existing BRT lines, informal transport routes, and high-density residential zones, we then conducted field surveys, engaging with local residents to gather firsthand information about their daily travel patterns, common destinations, and specific transport challenges.

Using this data, we designed feeder routes that connected major residential areas to main BRT terminals, ensuring minimal transfer times and optimal coverage while accounting for road conditions, traffic patterns, and peak travel times to create routes that were both efficient and reliable.

Each proposed feeder route was mapped in detail, including new bus stops, expected travel times, and integration points with the existing BRT network. The result was a comprehensive feeder route plan that addressed the specific needs of Lagos's peripheral neighborhoods, paving the way for more accessible and equitable public transportation.

For the pilot program, we collaborated with Lagos Bus Services Limited (LBSL), a well-known local public bus company, who kindly trialed a portion of the proposed routes with a fleet of refurbished Mitsubishi Rosa minibuses and Marcopolo buses, chosen for their high capacity, fuel efficiency and capacity to navigate urban environments. The buses were equipped with GPS tracking systems for real-time route adherence, focusing on extensions through Isheri-Oshun and Ikorodu.

To gather specific feedback, riders participated in structured surveys conducted at key bus stops.

These surveys revealed that 78% of respondents found the shuttle service to be significantly more convenient than previous transportation options, particularly praising the reduced waiting times. However, 56% expressed concerns regarding service hours, noting that late-night availability was insufficient. Additionally, 65% of users mentioned overcrowding during peak hours, suggesting the need for additional buses or more frequent service to accommodate demand. This feedback helped refine operational strategies prior to planning future routes.

Following the successful pilot of feeder routes, we're setting ambitious goals to expand shuttle services to cover an additional 4 underserved neighborhoods by April 2026. We're partnering with local NGOs like to draft a detailed policy proposal to the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation and the Governor's office, advocating for a sustainable funding model that could include public-private partnerships to promote equitable transport solutions.

We're proposing the establishment of a dedicated Lagos Mobility Fund, advocating for a budget allocation of ₦500 million ($1.2 million) from the Lagos State Government to enhance shuttle services in underserved neighborhoods like Ikorodu and Ajegunle.

The proposal includes an 8-point policy plan, including a commitment to subsidize fare rates for low-income riders by 30% and an expedited licensing process for new shuttle operators to cut waiting times from 12 months to 4 months.

Additionally, we're aiming for the integration of shuttle services into the existing BRT framework by May 2026, ensuring seamless transfers and reduced overall commute times. By outlining specific funding mechanisms and operational efficiencies, the proposal aims to create a sustainable and equitable public transport system that could serve as a model for future urban mobility initiatives across Nigeria.