Against the targets it intended to achieve, the modern mass transit services scheme of the Lagos State Government, Bus Rapid Transit a.k.a. BRT, has virtually degenerated. And this is giving fears to majority of Lagosians.
First sign of this current bad state of the BRT is its regular overloading; also, the drivers have embraced reckless driving, then the falling status of conductors and their discourteous remarks on passengers.
Like the old LSTC, BRT also started brightly, fully air-conditioned. But now, they have started disappearing from the roads. Not long after its introduction, it was noticed that BRT started showing signs of poor maintenance. People stand in long queues now for BRT buses, while their garages are parked with grounded buses.
Some even wonder if public mass transit scheme in Lagos has become a curse of some sort; judging from its disappearing manners after some years of operation.
Research has shown that, in 1960s, there was the Lagos Municipal Transport Service, which competed with the 911 Mercedes Benz trucks, popularly called ‘Molue’, a large commercial passenger bus now outlawed. The scheme failed and was replaced by the LSTC which was introduced by the state government in 1977. Similarly, the LSTC, which reportedly started with about 600 luxury buses within the metropolis, also disappeared from the roads. Shortly after, there was the Jubilee Transport Service. Sadly, its stay was also brief. This led to the introduction of Eko Transport, which also had a brief stay. And then, BRT.
These days, commuters complain bitterly of recent services of BRT. The common judgment is that there is a connection between today’s BRT and other past public transport schemes which have faded with time. To drive home this point, BRT buses are sighted at a popular spare parts market in Lagos called Owode Onirin. On inquiry, it was discovered that they were brought there for sale. Of course, whatever products that you find taken to this market are considered scraps.
Poor maintenance is a key characteristic that the past schemes in the state had in common, So, it is glaring that BRT buses are following the same trend.
Some of the buses have become so dirty that commuters are now afraid to touch anything inside. Some of them now break down on the road when people have important appointments to keep. All these are signs of poor maintenance and management.
Besides, intending passengers stand in the queue for long before the buses arrive. And they now have to shout at the top of their voices to alert the driver when to alight. All buttons meant to perform such functions are already malfunctioned.
Yet, those in charge of operating the scheme, LAMATA, are busy counting money, thereby neglecting routine maintenances.
-Isaac Oguntoye