Tag Archives: BRT

Increase in BRT fares will impoverish us – Lagos residents

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Some residents of Ikorodu on Wednesday complained that the reviewed transport fares of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) would further impoverish the citizens of Lagos State.

The residents told explained that the increase in fares was untimely, considering the prevailing economic situation in the country.

They appealed to the Lagos State Government to review the transport fares of the various routes to ease the discomfort being experienced by commuters.

Transport fares from Ikorodu to TBS was increased from N200 to N300; Ikorodu to Fadeyi increased from N120 to N200; while Ikorodu to Mile 12 increased from N75 to N100. A trader, Mrs Adeola Adebiyi, complained that the increase in fares was astronomical.

She said that the increase would not serve the interest of the common man. “We actually expect the government to be humane in the reviewed price considering that the masses are presently facing a lot of challenges, ranging from increase in prices of food, electricity, house rent and school fees. “The burden upon us is much.

We can barely make ends meet because sales at the market had been low since the beginning of the year, due to low purchasing power of customers.

“We are living from ‘hand to mouth,’ government should help us. “We understand the concerns of the bus operators pertaining to increase in cost of diesel and maintenance of the buses.

“We appeal that Ikorodu to TBS route be reviewed to N250 instead of N300,” she said. A civil servant, Mr Kunle Aderogba, advised that transport fare should be subsidised by the government to alleviate the sufferings of the citizens.

“The transport fare of BRT bus is a solace to many low income earners but now that has changed with the reviewed transport fares. “For years, government has not reviewed the salaries of workers and it has taken a toll on our lifestyle as we have adjusted to our meagre income.

“We urge the government to consider the societal impact of the reviewed fares on the masses and emulate former Gov. Babatunde Fashola, who only reviewed BRT fares upward by N20,’’ he said.

Danfo ban: Don’t panic, Lagos NURTW tells members

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The National Union of Road Transport Workers, Lagos Chapter, on Tuesday advised its members not to panic over the proposed ban on operations of yellow commercial buses.

The state Chairman of the union, Mr. Tajudeen Agbede, on Tuesday said that the union was discussing the proposed ban with the government, adding that the union was ready to cooperate with the state government on its mega city project.

Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode had on February 6 announced a plan to stop operations of yellow commercial buses popularly known as ‘danfo’ for a more efficient, well-structured and world-class mass transport system.

Ambode said that the well-structured transport system would ease movement within the state and make Lagos cleaner without burdening the people in terms of taxes.

He said, “We are still discussing with the government on the proposed ban on yellow buses, but we believe it is going to yield a positive result.

“The union is ready to comply with the conditions of making the state a mega city.

“We are ready to change the colour of our buses and also comply with the directive to follow the service lanes.”

According to him, the union members are also ready to refurbish their vehicles to attain mega city standards.

Lagos BRT bus fares to increase from February

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An operator of the Lagos State Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, scheme, Primero Transport Services, has announced plans to increase its fares on all routes in February.

The company’s Managing Director, Fola Tinubu, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Ikorodu on Thursday.

Mr. Tinubu said that the increase was as result of its increasing operational cost.

The company has maintained a fare of N75, N120, and N195 from Ikorodu to Mile 12, Fadeyi, and CMS, respectively, since it started operations in November 2015.

According to him, the company will introduce new fares which will take effect between the end of February and early March.

Mr. Tinubu said: “we are going to increase our price because of the situation in the country, our cost has just gone through the roof.

“At this time last year, we bought 1.2 million litres of diesel monthly at N120 per litre, we are now buying at N260; tyres that cost N70,000 each now go for N140,000.

“All the parts used for the buses are imported so they’ve all doubled or tripled in price; and we have no choice but to continue to buy them.

“So, in doing that we have to find a way to make it work because you all know that the buses were bought in China; so, we have a foreign dollar component in our debt portfolio.

“When we bought the buses it was N168 to a US dollar and now we are talking of N470 and we still have to pay the dollar component back.

“So, our debt has increased and our cost of operation has gone through the roof, and we have managed to keep the pricing same for now.

“In fact, right now, we are subsidising every person we carry, and if you are running a business, you can only do that for so long.’’

He said though the company was aware of its social responsibility, but the increase in fares was inevitable if its bus services were to be kept on a sustainable footing.

“The airlines have increased theirs between 200 per cent and 300 per cent but we will not even do 100 per cent.

“So, it is going to be something manageable for people. I will try not to put a figure to that now because the governor still has to approve it, and I don’t want to pre-empt him.

“What I can say is that it’s going to be a marginal increase and not a drastic increase and still less than what the commercial bus operators are charging right now.

“We are not even going to be close to that; but there is no other solution to it because if we do not, it is going to be recipe for disaster down the road,” Mr. Tinubu, said.

NAN reports that operators of the yellow-painted commercial bus currently charge N150, N200, and N350 from Ikorodu to Mile 12, Fadeyi, and CMS, respectively.

On the issue of delays caused during drivers changeover, Mr. Tinubu said the company had introduced the Early Riser System to check the menace.

“We send a total of 75 buses out at 4.30 so that when majority of the busmen are changing over the early risers are still on the wheels.

“As time goes on, we may increase to 100 buses so that that way it would completely eliminate 1.30 p.m. – 2.30 p.m. delay issue.”

 

Source: NAN

Woman gives birth to baby onboard BRT bus [Pictured]

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While Mainlanders and other commuters alike were busy heading to their respective destinations yesterday, Thursday, January 12, 2017, little did they know that a woman will deliver a baby boy while in transit.

 

Omojuwa.Com learnt that a middle aged woman who boarded a BRT bus alongside other passengers at Irawo heading to Iyana Ipaja surprised other commuters when she went into labour few minutes after boarding.

 

It was gathered that she became restless immediately after she boarded the bus losing her water in the process. Upon realizing what was happening, female commuters who understood what was happening rushed to her aid.

 

Moments later, the woman went into labour with the female passengers delivering her of a bouncing baby boy while in transit.

 

It was gathered that the mother and child alighted the bus in good condition after the delivery.

 

See another photo below.

 

delivery in transit 1

Lagos BRT operator donates classrooms to Ikorodu School

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The operator of the Lagos State Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Scheme, Primero Transport Services, on Wednesday, donated classrooms to Majidun Junior Grammar School, Ikorodu.

Mr. Fola Tinubu, the company’s Managing Director, who addressed a gathering at the groundbreaking ceremony held within the school’s premises, said the gesture was to impact the host community.

That the gesture is coming as the company marks the first anniversary of its operations in Lagos.

Primero began operation in November 2015 and currently has 434 buses in its fleet and more than 2,000 staff.

According to Tinubu, the project which will gulp N30 million will consist of a block of seven classrooms, six toilets, library and staff rooms.

He also said that the company would adopt the school for five years to ensure that a good learning environment was provided.

“All the books for the library will be supplied before the building is completed.

“We will look after this school and do everything in our power to make sure that it is very comfortable for kids.

“We have sent the building design to the Lagos State Government and they have approved it.

“Construction work will begin in December and I believe that by September next year when the new academic session begins, we will be here to inaugurate the building,” Tinubu said.

“We have built in local content into this project and as such, the workers will be sourced from within Ikorodu.

“So, I beseech you (teachers) to intensify your efforts for the kids to learn even though it is tough and challenging.”

According to him, other schools within the town will benefit from similar gestures.

He said that every year, the company would earmark between N30 million and N40 million and select a school and invest the money in it to make a difference in their life.

The traditional ruler of Ikorodu, “Ayangbure of Ikorodu”, Oba Kabiru Shotobi, who performed the groundbreaking, appreciated the company for its gesture.

“I am very proud and happy because Primero wants to give back to the community.

“I and indeed, the community, appreciate them, hence, the reason you see all the traditional rulers here to witness such a magnificent thing the company wants to do for Ikorodu division.

“We want to thank the management of Primero, especially the Managing Director, Mr. Fola Tinubu,’’ he said.

The monarch also eulogized the Lagos State Government for its effort in improving the standard of education in the state.

The Principal of Majidun Junior Grammar School, Mr. Sulaimon Adebayo, expressed gratitude to the transport company, saying: “It is a thing of joy that we are witnessing this occasion”.

He assured the company that the academic team would not relent in their effort to instill discipline, character and knowledge in the pupils.

Other traditional rulers who graced the occasion are the Olubese of Ibese, Oba Richard Ogunsanya; the Ranodu of Imota, Oba Ajibade Agoro and the Obateru of Egbin, Oba Adeoriyomi Oyepo among others.

BRT bus records first road crash on night service

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An operator of Lagos State Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) scheme, Primero Transport Services, has recorded first road traffic crash on its night service.

The lone accident which occurred at 3 a.m. involved the company’s blue-painted bus coded 405, with registration number EPE-97-XR.

The bus was headed for Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) when it skidded off the outbound lane at Owode-Elede, less than 100 metres from Mile 12 market in Ikorodu.

Most occupants of the bus were the company’s bus drivers, popularly called busmen, who were to resume work.

Mr Fola Tinubu, the Managing Director of the transport company, disclosed that no life was lost in the incident.

He said that the company would not rest on its oars to provide quality transport services for the public.

“It was an accident and accidents can happen anytime but that will not stop us from our focus of delivering quality night and day service for the people.

“We are committed to the night service and we will continue to provide world class services for our commuters and the public.

“We are still collating more information on the circumstances that led to the incident.

“We are grateful to God that nobody was either injured or lost their lives.

“It is the property that is damaged and the bus involved was not that damaged; it has been removed and we will take it for repair after assessment.’’

Primero, which began operations in November 2015, has 434 buses in its fleet and more than 2,000 staff.

Hawker Not Killed By BRT, Lagos Clarifies Maryland Incident

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The Lagos State Government has clarified the misconception surrounding the unfortunate incident where a street hawker was knocked down by an oncoming truck at Maryland Bus Stop on Wednesday.

The street hawker, who was trying to evade arrest from officials of Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI), had attempted to cross the road before being hit by the truck, which was erroneously thought to be a BRT Bus.

As a result, hoodlums armed with sticks and stones, immediately descended on some BRT buses plying the route as at the time of the incident and in the process destroyed several of the BRT buses.

But the Government in a statement signed the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, said that contrary to the information being circulated in the social media that the street hawker was hit by a BRT bus, it was a truck belonging to a soft drink company that unfortunately hit the boy. “It wasn’t any of our buses that killed him (hawker), it was a soft drink company truck that unfortunately crushed the boy while he was trying to escape from KAI officers who were on patrol trying to rid the street of street hawkers and traders.

“But hoodlums now took advantage of that to start destroying government assets, including several of the brand new BRT buses,” he said. Ayorinde said it took the intervention of a team from the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) to quell the riotous scene caused by the hoodlums before the corpse of the boy was taken to the morgue at the General Hospital, Ikeja. The Commissioner said that at least three hoodlums alleged to have been part of the mob that destroyed the BRT buses have been arrested, saying that the law would take its full course.

“The Lagos State Government would like to use this opportunity to further reiterate that it would not relent in ridding the state of illegality, street trading and hawking,” he said. Ayorinde said that Section one of the Lagos State Street Trading and Illegal Market Prohibition Law 2003, restricts street trading and hawking in the metropolis, while Sections Seven and Eight of the same law gives jurisdiction and power to the Special Court to order the seizure and public auction of items impounded from street traders.

Section 10 of the law, he said, also prescribes a N5000 fine or three months imprisonment upon conviction. “Street traders are hereby urged to desist from this illegal activity because the government will not be blackmailed and would do that which is necessary.

“And for the miscreants and hoodlums, the Lagos State Government and the Police Command would not allow any act of civil disobedience and those arrested would be dealt with in accordance with the law and further arrests would be made as investigation continues,” he said.

Credit: Vanguard

Ambode Donates 50 New Buses To BRT To Cushion Hike In Fuel Price

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The Lagos State Government says mass transit buses will cushion any effect that removal of subsidy and subsequent increase petrol price will have on Lagosians.

The state Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, therefore, on Monday donated 50 mass transit buses into the operations of the Bus Rapid Transit scheme.

The Managing Director, Primero Transport Limited, Fola Tinubu, said the governor’s gesture would not only cushion the effect of fuel price, it would stabilise transport fares.

He spoke in the Ikorodu area of the state during the inauguration of the buses.

Tinubu said the company would not increase its fares despite the prompt service that the new injection guarantees for commuters.

He said, “The introduction of the 50 buses was undertaken by the governor to reduce the effect of the hike in fuel price on Lagosians in the hope that more people in Ikorodu and its environs will enjoy the BRT service while leaving their vehicles at home.

“This will go a long way in reducing traffic to the road users and waiting time at various terminals.

“The multiplier effect of this development is the creation of more employment opportunities for drivers, fleet officers, inspectors, mechanics and ticketers, among others, for the smooth running and operations of the scheme.”

 

Credit: Punch

BRT, BFS To Offer Free Rides On New Year Day

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The Lagos State Government on Thursday said it would provide free bus rides for residents of the state in its Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses, for the New Year celebration.

 
This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Kolawole Ojelabi, the External Relations Officer, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.

 
It said: “Lagosians celebrating the New Year on Friday will have some fun as operators of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and the Bus Franchise Scheme (BFS) will offer free bus rides to commuters.

 

“Free service will be offered to commuters on the BRT corridor from Ikorodu via Mile 12 to CMS by the BRT operator, Primero Transport Service Ltd. Capetrust Investment Ltd, operator of the BFS will offer free services along its corridor – Maryland – Ikeja-Iyana-Ipaja – Ikotun- Igando axis of Alimoso and Ikeja Local Governments.”

 
The statement added that the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Dayo Mobereola, felicitates with residents for seeing the New Year.

 
“The state government is poised to ensure that it caters to the transportation needs of the people and will ensure that they are able to move around unhindered during the New Year celebration.

 
It, therefore, urged “Lagosians to do everything in moderation, observe the Lagos Traffic Law, avoid excess speed and recognize the rights of other users on the roads’’

 

 

(NAN)

Tinubu Hails Ambode, Fashola As Mile 12-Ikorodu BRT Operation Flags Off

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Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Thursday reassured that he would effectively address the issue of traffic congestion and improve road networks in the state.
Ambode spoke at the commissioning and launch of the Mile 12-Ikorodu Road widening and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) operation. He said the projects showed the government’s commitment to the infrastructural renewal and development of the state.

 

 

“The commissioning is a milestone in public transportation system in the state.
“It is a delivery of world class transport infrastructure that will bring comfort and convenience to commuters, particularly Ikorodu residents,” Ambode said.
He said that the BRT system was initiated as part of strategies to modernise the public transport, like other major city states in the around.

 
“It is intended to provide efficient service that will encourage patronage by the middle-class thereby reducing the number of private vehicles on our roads.
“Today, the BRT system has to a large extent lived up to that expectation,” Ambode said.

 
He commended the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) and other stakeholders for a job well done in the development of the project.

 
Also speaking, a National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bola Tinubu commended Ambode and his predecessor, Mr Babatunde Fashola for being creative, intelligent and making Lagos a model city.
Tinubu expressed optimism that Nigeria would succeed beyond people’s imaginations.

 
“We are in the front row now and we will ensure that Nigeria is turned around and succeeds beyond your imagination,” he said.
He urged Lagos residents to embrace, peace, discipline, accountability and continuity.

 
Present at the event was Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun among others.

 

(NAN)

7 Lagosians Ordered To Cut Grass For Plying BRT Lane

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Seven Lagosians who were caught plying BRT lanes ,were ordered to cut grass on the football field of the Ministry of Youth and Social Development remand home,Oregun .

The defaulters were arraigned at the Special Offences Court at Alausa, Ikeja , and were sentenced to one hour community service in addition to payment of traffic fine..They are :

Kimi Egbekun-(34)Toyota RAV 4 -LSD 318 DJ,
Daniel Chimmezie 24,( Toyota Hilux) KTU 780 BR,
Sodiq Musa (50yrs) (Toyota Corolla FG 688 A42,
Felemi Moses(41) Mitsubishi L200 AKD 132 XD
Idris Olewale 22 ( KIA Pregio SMK 33XL,
Obasi Emeka (42) Toyota Camry LND 186 DB,
Bucky Olapade (40) Golf CH225 APP

They were apprehended on Tuesday, 21st of April, 2014 inside the BRT corridor at Anthony area of Lagos State by LASTMA officials around 9am.

They all pleaded guilty to the count charge of BRT violation and admitted they regularly plyed the BRT lanes  in order to meet deadlines or beat traffic gridlocks . Kimi Egbekun however maintained that he was caught on his first attempt.
The offenders while showing remorse for their actions,said they were humbled by the punishment and urgedother motorists to avoid the use of the corridor or face the wrath of law.

Bank Worker Crushed To Death By BRT Bus At Palmgrove, Lagos

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A banker with one of the new generation banks was this morning crushed to death by a BRT bus at Palmgrove bus stop, Ikorodu on his way to work around 6am. He was said to have wanted to cross the express lane when the bus crushed him down and ran over him.

Segun Ajisebutu was there lying dead after the incident, which caused heavy traffic on the road, as people made to watch and try to identify him. Law enforcement agencies who however came on time brought back normalcy to the road and searched his body to identify who he really was. It was at this point that they got to know he worked with one of the new generation banks and contacted his relations afterwards. His body has been deposited at a Lagos mortuary.

One of his family members who spoke to press said he was a promising guy and was married with two kids. Segun was in his 30’s.

Bouncing Baby Boy Delivered In BRT

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Passengers on a Bus Rapid Transit going to the CMS area of Lagos on Wednesday were forced to become emergency midwives and labour attendants when a pregnant woman was delivered of a bouncing baby boy inside the bus.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the woman, identified simply as Afolaranmi, was going to a private hospital in CMS for a medical checkup, when she started her labour.

It was gathered that some medical workers in the bus organised other passengers to help in delivering the baby.

It was learnt that the mother was delivered of the baby at about 12pm, around the Constain bus stop. I wish her good health and life full of joy.

Credit: 36trends