Traffic congestion has long been synonymous with Lagos travel. The recent introduction of the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) has sought to improve transportation in the state.
Lagos city, Nigeria’s commercial capital, is one the most population dense cities in Africa. Consequently, traffic congestion had become a daily reality for its residents. The lack of a functioning public transport system spurred on the development of the informal transportation industry. Dolapo Oseni notes in an article appearing in the Daily Independent on the 29 January 2009, ‘Nigeria: Lagos Commuting Nightmare and Quest for BRT Services’, that prior to the BRTS ,the availability of safe transport for Lagos commuters was tenuous at best.
The two main buses utilized by commuters are the “molue” and “danfo”, the former being a distinctive yellow commercial bus and the latter being a mini-bus. With regards to cost the BRT is far more stable than its existing unregulated cousins. Oseni points out that molue drivers “tend to increase their charges abnormally during petrol scarcity or any hint that hoodlums are causing riots in any part of the city. Also, when it rains, it is harvest time for molue drivers. The worst is when the conductors act on their impulse without any justification to increase fares. In this instance, bus conductors hang on the entrance to collect fares before commuters are let in.”
The Lagos State government, recognizing its herculean task of having to set up an effective and affordable transport system within Lagos city, decided to implement the BRTS.
The Bus Rapid Transit System
The BRTS has been internationally touted as cost-effective transportation solution. Cheaper than building or upgrading railway systems, with much of the integration of a rail system, the BRTS is a fully integrated transport system with set routes, special lanes and buses with level boarding.
According to Victor Ebimomi of the Daily Independent 19 March 2009, ‘Nigeria: BRT - One Year After Urban Transportation Relief’, the decision to implement the BRTS in Lagos was made is 2006 and was launched with 100 buses in 2008. Ebimomi cites the Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, who contends that the BRTS has been more successful than originally expected resulting in 20 buses being added. The system has also generated “both direct and indirect employment for about 5, 5000 people who are engaged as pilots (drivers), bus officers (conductors) inspectors, mechanics and ticket sellers, among others.”
The Improvement of Urban Transportation in Lagos
The apparent success of the BRT in Lagos city has prompted the state government to consider extending the existing route and creating additional routes across the state.Olasunkanmi Akoni of the Vanguard 18 March 2009, ‘Nigeria: Lagos Marks First Year of BRT’, reported that the Lagos state government “has concluded arrangement on the first phase of the proposed construction of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) route along Lagos-Badagry Expressway” as well as the country’s first bus assembly plant.
This Day reporting on the apparent success of the BRTS, ‘Nigeria: BRT Introduction Successful, Says Fashola’ 4 April 2009, refers to the Lagos State Governor’s, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, presentation to the World Bank Transport Forum in which he highlighted the benefits that the BRTS has brought to the state since its inception the previous year. These benefits include job creation and lifestyle improvements for Lagos residents.”
With regards to urban transportation initiatives in Lagos state it appears that Mr. Fashola intends to make a significant impact during his term as governor. According to This Day, the governor noted his administration’s advancement with regards to the various parts of its Lagos Multi-Modal Transportation Vision of which the BRTS, Water Transportation and Intra-City Rail are components.
Many would agree that the work of Mr. Fashola and his administration is admirable. By improving urban transportation, the sustainability and the future advancement of the Lagos city and state are assured. A successful public transportation system is not only a driver of growth and development but it also signals stability of government.
One hopes that the path taken to improve Lagos’ urban transportation would be one that this administration’s successors would follow and build on.
