Bus Rapid Transit is a high-quality bus-based transit system that delivers fast, comfortable and cost-effective services at metro-level capacities. Lagos State in Nigeria is an example of a State that has rapid transit buses, an initiative of past governors of the state and being consolidated by successive governors.
Lagos BRT is regulated by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority. BRT bus was launched in March 2008.
BRT system provides Lagos commuters with clean, affordable and reliable means of getting around the city, especially for the aged and retired men and women, an applause for the headship of LAMATA for the convenience created by sustaining the vision of easy movement for Lagosians.
Despite the successes recorded by LAMATA, it is a perturbation for Lagos commuters, Lagos city drivers and observers alike to conclude that yellow and black striped bus drivers are same with BRT drivers, particularly with the recklessness exhibited in their driving.
The Lagos State Government has done exceptionally well in providing the buses, but omitted to train their bus drivers.
BRT drivers are very rough, they are aggressive and abusive on the road, they are not learned on driving rules, they forget that the size of the bus they drive intimidates and frightens smaller cars.
They change lanes as of right without prior indicator or flag of the hand to notify other drivers of their decision to change lanes. They occupy the road maliciously as king of Lagos roads, further oppressing other vehicles with their nonchalant and disorderly driving. They always come across as impatient or have a target delivery to meet.
Traffic scenarios reveal the menaces of BRT drivers. Once there is a gridlock, it is frequently observed how BRT drivers along with their colleagues cooperate and challenge other drivers with their violent struggle for lane to forcefully occupy. They desire that every other driver should give up their lanes or stop for them to go ahead of other vehicles. No other vehicle dares go ahead of them until they have made their own path even when it is a general lane.
There are mapped out lane for BRT, but once in a while when there is a breakdown of another BRT, they are diverted to share the general lane. No respect or courtesy from BRT. They assert, claim right of road against every other road user.
In Lagos, it is an offence for other transporters or vehicles to drive on the BRT lane. A fine will be metted out and the person’s drivers licence will be revoked until punishment is served.
LAMATA has provided the corridors of efficiency, but the BRT drivers themselves are the real problems. They behave like men who are above the traffic laws, they are very rude and exceptionally not in tandem with the transport vision of the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Who are the BRT drivers answerable to? What safety orientation do they posses? What qualifications do they hold? Who are their guarantors?
So many of these yearning questions desire a detailed explanation from the recruiters and employers of BRT bus drivers. They are not different individuals from the Yellow and Black Lagos buses with their peculiarities.
It very common to still find conductors fight their passengers over their rightful balances, for everything that does not add up, senseless insults and confrontation on their passengers.
Early in the morning, it is also known that the drivers are ridden with hard drugs with different mixtures of alcohol as a stimulant to aid their alertness, beat fatigue as these root mixtures assist their daily routine so they can be able to withstand the long hours they drive.
Danfo buses pose daily danger on Lagos roads. They are lawless and brutal. They have no regard for constituted authorities, to the extent that traffic officials consisting of the Police and Lagos State Traffic Management Agency are overwhelmed by their recalcitrant behaviours.
Danfo operators will not wash their vehicles. They fail road worthiness test. And their buses are danger waiting to spark.
They are not a delight for Lagosians, but since there are no alternatives or when the alternatives such as the tricycles and okada are one and alike, people have no better options to commute than to cope with what is easily available.
The BRT, yellow and black bus drivers, okada riders and keke operators are the same kind of persons with same characters. Lives of their passengers mean nothing to them. Of cause they do not love themselves. So how can they give what they do not have?
The Government cannot be faulted for some of their stubbornness or obstinate ways of life, but LAMATA can look inward by using its feedback channel and complaints section to curtail the excesses and bring under control the nefarious activities of these drivers.
Lagos is a beautiful city but why are commuters still stuck with these kind of transport system?
Rightly, why there is no end to the traffic situation in Lagos metropolis is because many Lagosians are afraid to get into hot arguments or get beaten by a bus conductor or get their expensive clothes torn by rickety parts of their dirty buses.
The Lagos State Government can further salvage these regular dangers posed by BRT drivers, black and yellow bus drivers, okada and keke by improving on the efficiency of services rendered.
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