In Lagos, Nigeria, traffic congestion is an unavoidable part of life.
For many residents, significant chunks of their working hours are lost to gridlock. A typical day often starts with a well-laid plan, only to be derailed by unpredictable delays and frustrations, including encounters with opportunistic bus drivers. Despite the city’s bustling energy, Lagos’ notorious traffic issues limit productivity.
As one of Africa’s most prominent economies, Lagos is home to over 22 million people, with more than 8 million navigating its narrow, deteriorated roads daily in 5 million private cars and 200,000 commercial vehicles. The overcrowding presents a significant challenge to efficient movement within the city.
Damilola Olokesusi, co-founder of Shuttlers, experienced these challenges firsthand and decided to act. Alongside Damilola Quadry and Busola Majekodunmi, she created Shuttlers—a platform that enables professionals to share rides in corporate buses to and from work. Shuttlers aims to tackle Lagos’ traffic by reducing the number of cars on the road while providing commuters with a safer and more efficient alternative.
Navigating Regulatory Pressures
Since its inception, Shuttlers has sold over ₦500 million worth of seats, proving its potential to address Lagos’ transport woes. However, the company operates in a challenging regulatory environment. In 2019, the Lagos State government introduced stringent regulations for ride-hailing services, requiring drivers to obtain multiple permits and certifications.
Despite these pressures, Shuttlers has thrived by aligning with the government’s broader transport plans. Olokesusi credits networking and strategic engagement with decision-makers as key to their success. By attending government events and fostering relationships with stakeholders, Shuttlers has positioned itself as a partner in the state’s vision for a better transportation system.
Shuttlers’ Unique Model
Unlike traditional ride-hailing services, Shuttlers offers a pay-per-seat subscription model. This allows organizations to reserve seats for their employees, with multiple brands sharing a single bus. Individual commuters can also access available seats, but these account for only a small percentage of bookings.
The service is cost-effective, offering rates 60–80% lower than typical ride-hailing options, with no surge pricing. By prioritizing affordability and convenience, Shuttlers encourages more people to leave their private cars at home.
Turning Traffic into Opportunity
Lagos faces a unique challenge as one of the world’s top destinations for migrants, with over 2,000 people moving to the city daily. This influx exacerbates the already strained infrastructure, especially in the transport sector. Recognizing this, Shuttlers launched the “She Moves” project to convert commuting time into an opportunity for professional growth. The initiative provides female professionals access to digital skills training, mentorship programs, and peer-to-peer learning during their commute.
In 2020, Shuttlers partnered with other organizations to sponsor advanced training for 60 female commuters in areas like graphic design and UI/UX. As a female-led startup, Shuttlers prioritizes addressing the transport challenges unique to women, aiming to reduce stress while empowering them to succeed in their careers.
Through innovative solutions and a commitment to improving commuting experiences, Shuttlers is making strides toward solving Lagos’ complex traffic problems while fostering professional development for its users.
