Has the emergence of BRT system reduced hardship at bus-stops?

29 Jan Has the emergence of BRT system reduced hardship at bus-stops?

BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) was introduced to the densely populated city of Lagos in March, 2008 and the main aim of this scheme was to reduce the hardship and rowdiness at bus-stops while waiting endlessly to hop on a yankee-bravo (the popular “Danfo”), the question is “has it been able to decongest the bus-stops of crowded commuters since its emergence?” The answer is, “YES & NO.”

There are many factors that have influenced the success and failure of the BRT system. Let us discuss on just two that are visible;

• Despite dedicating a lane to the BRT, we still see them sharing the already tight main-carriage way with other motorists due to impatience of the supposed trained BRT drivers. There have been cases where the buses have broken down on their dedicated lane and understandably, they drove out of the lane to keep commuters from being stranded but what about cases where the BRT lane is free and the buses are found on the main-carriage way? From observation it was learnt that they avoided the lane due to the condition of the BRT lane and negligence of the caretakers. A typical example is CMS route, the BRT lane already has pot-holes thereby forcing the BRT drivers to avoid it.

• Commuters have opted for the BRT due to its organized way of purchasing tickets that will take them to and fro their various destinations but have the buses being available to lift them momentarily? A typical example is Berger where commuters queue in the morning endlessly for the arrival of the buses that was supposed to rescue them from the inflated prices of securing a seat in the yankee-bravo (danfo). Another example is the TBS bus stop and other designated BRT stops where commuters have been subjected to queuing for hours to get on the bus where there is no assurance that you will secure a seat even after paying.

We have seen pictures of how BRT looks in other countries and how they are operated, the designated lanes and the road networking. I believe the problems faced by commuters and motorists in Lagos are still the conditions and size of the road as compared to the population density. No matter how many BRT are introduced, danfo will still be in existence and will still solve issues BRT has not been able to e.g. there are routes where BRT do not ply but danfos do. I believe our government should deploy an agency that will monitor the usage and condition of the BRT lanes all across the city and a central unit that will alert BRT drivers to report to bus stops to decongest overcrowding that could lead to stampede when the commuters are desperate to get to their destination.

THIS IS HOW THE “BRT” LOOKS IN OTHER COUNTRIES