Following the presidential commissioning of the new BRT buses provided under the Bus Reform Initiative (BRI), the Lagos State Government has launched the buses, test-running it with free transport services on five routes in the State on May 1, 2019.
The five routes for the free transport services include:
- Berger to Oshodi
- Berger to Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS)
- Ikeja to Alausa
- Oshodi to TBS
- Ikeja to Oshodi
Normal commercial services were scheduled to commence on May 2, 2019.
Passengers seated on the new fleet of bus
Mr. Timi Olajide, a staff of Lagos Bus Services Limited, stated that the launching of the bus for use was commendable. He further revealed that, 820 buses were on ground for the launch as part of the 5,000 buses to be provided for the initiative.
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According to Olajide, the initiative would enable Lagosians plan their movement effectively through its transport intelligence components, and also give them maximum comfort as they go about their daily activities across the state.
“In each of the buses, we have six emergency exits and First Aid Box, while every seat has a dedicated USB port for charging of phones, free Wi-fi, television and CCTV cameras which are linked to our control centre to monitor everything going on in the buses, among other features.
We have also taken the issue of people with disabilities specially and there are seats reserved for them in the buses,”
Lagosians enjoying a ride on the bus
Lagosians commended the State Government for the initiative. A resident identified as Adewusi Oluwatobi Emmanuel expressed his happiness to use the service. “I am very happy to enter this bus today because it is a thing of joy that something like this can happen in Nigeria. I am happy that I can enter a beautiful bus with free Wi-Fi, free USB port, free air-conditioning and so on.
“With this, I know that this country is going to greater heights. One thing I believe we should do is to work together, love ourselves and before we know it, Nigeria will be one of the best countries in the world.”
A lineup of the new BRT buses along the road
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