LAGOS (Nigeria) | LagBUS (BRT)| Masterplan | U/C

[friendsofthecity]

Originally Posted by qymekkam

gas most likely

I buy that idea from you too.

[The E.N.D]

Does anybody have pics of the BRT stations and buses?Joburg's stations are very cool but we still havent seen the buses...which unnerves me.Secondly,did the introduction of BRT in Nigeria ruffle any feathers with other public transport providers?

[GAR3TH]

lagbusonline.com

[friendsofthecity]

Originally Posted by The E.N.D

Does anybody have pics of the BRT stations and buses?Joburg's stations are very cool but we still havent seen the buses...which unnerves me.Secondly,did the introduction of BRT in Nigeria ruffle any feathers with other public transport providers?

The truth is that it's not comprehensively done(most especially the stations - with their massive fencing) as you would see in places like RIO or Sao Palo maybe Jozi but it's very effective - there are always endless files of passenger waiting to take the buses in most photos I have seen on the internet. The city public transportation is very poor before the introduction of BRT. The major buses were the yellow ones called Molu and very in bad shape. I hope you can be able to get the picture clear now.

[The E.N.D]

Thank you for responsing.So no emphasis was placed on sleek stations and such?Thats a bummer but its nice to hear that the people of Lagos now are getting decent transport.For me BRT in Joburg is not just about avoiding traffic but perving over the high tech stations,modern-looking buses etc.

Originally Posted by GAR3TH

lagbusonline.com

Thanks for pointing that out but I'd checked the site out already and its been a while since its' last update.Arent there any Nigerian members on the ground that can take pics?

[friendsofthecity]

Originally Posted by The E.N.D

Thank you for responsing.So no emphasis was placed on sleek stations and such?Thats a bummer but its nice to hear that the people of Lagos now are getting decent transport.For me BRT in Joburg is not just about avoiding traffic but perving over the high tech stations,modern-looking buses etc.Thanks for pointing that out but I'd checked the site out already and its been a while since its' last update.Arent there any Nigerian members on the ground that can take pics?

The only person I can say is living in Nigeria that I know of here on Skyscrapercty is Joblessbeggar and I doubt if he's been taking photos lately.

[Naija]

Oboy...I live in Lagos!!! Not everyone is outside Nigeria in this forum.

[Samuel107]

Naija pls walk around with a digital camera and post pictures. Thanks

[sammyjay77]

Naija, Naija Naija, Naija, Naija, Naija, Naija, Naija, Naija, Naija, Naija, Naija, Naija, Naija, Naija, Naija, Naija, Naija, Naija, Naija, Naija, Naija, Naija, ...Thanks for doing it..lol

[Naija]

Lol!! Lol!! Wish i had the time to do it. It would be very tasking on my part you know. I really don't like moving about in Lagos really.

[friendsofthecity]

Can you help with the LagBus photos, Naija? C'mon, getting the photos of the buses is not going to be such a huge task, you know.

[charles4u]

Wow...all this project are a little sign that things will still change for good by the time we tackle the government wella.

[GAR3TH]

BRT - One Year After Urban Transportation Relief

The Lagos Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) clocked one year on Tuesday. The scheme, which was an initiative of Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was completed and launched by his predecessor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, on March 17, 2008 amidst pomp and funfair at Ojota along Ikorodu Road.

It took about 15 months to come to fruition.

The introduction of the novel transport system was borne out of the need to tame the seemingly intractable problem of traffic congestion in Lagos, a city with a population variously estimated at between 15 and 18 million people who are always on the move. However, its realisation and implementation did not come easy. To start with, a delegation comprising experts and stakeholders were dispatched to Latin America and Asian countries to understudy the working of their bus system.

On December 14, 2006, a steering committee earlier set up during the visit met in the boardroom of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) to consider the concept of BRT that could be implemented within a short space of time. The outcome of that boardroom meeting gave birth to what is now known as BRT.

The scheme took off with 100 buses in 2008 on 22 kilometers corridor running from Mile 12 to CMS in the Lagos Island, three terminals, one bus depot/garage and 26 bus shelters (bus stops). There are two operators for the system---the LAGBUS (the Lagos State Owned Asset Management Company) and the NURTW Cooperatives. The former operate the red buses, which run express service, while the latter handles the blue ones that run on regular bus stop to bus stop service. However, unlike the normal commercial buses that have no specific operational hours, BRT buses begin work at 6.00 am and terminate their services by 10.00pm and each bus has passenger capacity of 46 sitting and 36 standing.

According to the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of LAMATA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, when the scheme started, it was planned to transport 60,000 passengers per day, but today that number has more than tripled, as the system carries an average of 200,000 passengers daily. Due to high demand, he said, additional 20 buses have been added to the route. And apart from reducing the travel time from Mile 12 to CMS to less than one hour and brought back the orderly culture of queuing at the bus stops, Mobereola maintained that the scheme has been able to create 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.

So far, within one year of its existence, the BRT buses have transported more than 52 million passengers, a development that Fashola said has given an assurance that the initiative has come to stay. Passengers' demographics also lends credence to this belief, as it reflects a mix of high-ranking workers, including management and professionals.

In fact, the Mile 12- CMS BRT Lite, according to the governor, is now adjudged to be one of the largest bus systems in the world in term of passengers' number.

"Its patronage is comparable to many of the individual BRT lines in Curitiba, Brazil, and approaching that of Metrobusin Quito, Equador," said the governor during a stakeholders meeting to commemorate the first year anniversary of the scheme held at LTV 8 Ground, Ikeja.

Fashola added that the success of the system had generated widespread interest from other cities in country, such as Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Calabar, Benin and Kano as well as other ones outside the Nigerian shores who have visited and reviewed the system. Among the countries are Japan, which visited to review its transport system, and Ghana that raised 33-man delegation to understudy the scheme.

The scheme indeed seems to have come a long way and to stay as well. Even passengers are not pretending about it as they expressed their minds.

Mr. Biodun Efunuga, who said he has been an ardent patron of the BRT since its inception, hailed the service, especially for the fact that it is faster because of its dedicated lane. "It is a relief to everybody, even those having cars. They can now easily leave their cars at home and board BRT," he said. He however frowned at the recent 100 per cent increase in the fares within the green and red zones, which makes commuting from a place like Ojota to Fadeyi to now cost N100 instead of the previous N50.

Sharing same sentiment, Babatunde Sodipo, another patron, maintained that as a result of the BRT service, he has redefined the pattern of his movement from the Mainland to the Island, as he always targets the buses. According to him, apart from the comfort it offers, it is also secured compared to the 'yellow' buses otherwise known as 'Danfo' or 'Molue'.

Another passenger, who bared his mind on the transport system, is Kingsley Anete. To him, the system is quite befitting a state like Lagos that is heading towards a mega city status, but he is not happy that it is getting slow to spread across the state.

"It is one of the best things that have happened in this country, but the government should hasten the expansion of the service to other parts of the state where people are seriously yearning for it, such as Oshodi to Mile 2," he counselled.

In a way, this wish might not be long to be realised, as the governor said during the meeting that he had already directed that the current BRT be extended to several other parts of the state.

"I have directed that the current BRT routes be extended through Yaba, Oyingbo and Iddo to terminate at CMS. Other routes being considered include a service that will link Oshodi to Mile2, Apapa and CMS. Plans are also underway to extend services to other parts of the city," he governor had said during the commemoration.

Though the BRT services may not have reached all parts of the state, there is no gainsaying that the scheme has indeed brought significant relief to many Lagos residents, especially those plying CMS-Ikorodu Road, but its greatest shortcoming remains the somewhat recklessness of some of the pilots, who seem to give no qualm about the lives of other road users.

allafrica.com

[GAR3TH]

Lagos to commence new BRT, rail routes in September

Lagos State Government on Tuesday said it had concluded arrangements with Julius Berger Nigeria Plc to commence the construction of the first phase of the proposed Bus Rapid Transit scheme on Lagos – Badagry Expressway.

The state Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, said this in Lagos at a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority.

The event was part of activities to commemorate the first year of BRT scheme from Mile 2 to CMS.

Fashola also disclosed that the construction of two rail routes on Alagbado/Okokomaiko axis would commence in September.

The governor identified sustainability and the expansion of BRT lite across the state as the challenges facing the scheme.

Fashola added that contract had been awarded for the construction of two rail routes.

The first route includes Okokomaiko to CMS, which is the blue line, and Iddo to Agbado Ijaiye, which is the red line.

According to him, the State Executive Council had concluded work on the tender for the project and had received bids from concessionaires.

He added that construction would start in September.

Fashola, while describing the first year of BRT lite in the state as a success, expressed his administration’s commitment to making transportation easier for motorists, commuters and the all road users.

He also disclosed that the Pilot Bus Franchise scheme on Iyana-Ipaja/Igando/Ikotun corridor will commence operation soon.

punchng.com

[friendsofthecity]

Originally Posted by GAR3TH

Lagos to commence new BRT, rail routes in September



punchng.com

I am so glad about the expansion plan that will commense soon. I would be very glad if the mentainance of the vehicles are taken with utmost priority. Buying BRT buses is one thing and mentaining them is another.

[Naija]

That summarises it all, Friendsofthecity: Maintenance!!!!!!!!!
Let's not forget that past governments have launched such schemes in the past but where are they now????

[friendsofthecity]

I read somewhere in the forum that the state government is adding some air-conditioned flight of buses to LAGBUS.

[sammyjay77]

Theres picture evidence to this if you wannt to see

[friendsofthecity]

I have seen it, Sammy77. The buses are pretty smart for the region.

[The E.N.D]

Pics please!