Press Releases

Fashola Tasks BRT, LAGBUS Operators

Jul 20, 2008 - Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Sunday set a new standard of operation for operators of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in the State, saying everything must be done to ensure that the brand succeeds.

Fashola who spoke at a meeting with the captains, inspectors and other operators of the new transportation system and the LAGBUS buses, told the operators, “in our own interest and in your own interest, this project must grow from strength to strength. It must not be another lost opportunity”.

The Governor told the operators that to ensure that the projects succeeds, they must do everything within their power to attract the commuters by keeping the buses neat at all times and avoid overspeeding, advising that they must treat the buses as they treat their own offices.

“The bus is your office. If that bus does not function, you don’t have a job. You must drive it with pride. You must drive it with dignity. I will feel sad if I come to my office and it is dirty and littered. I don’t see why it should be difficult for the pilots, the inspectors and other officers to put hands together after the days job and say let’s spend 30 minutes to clean these buses before we go”, he said

He also advised the operators against over-speeding saying the reports he received from the public indicated that some drivers over-speed with the bus. “The beauty about this (BRT) is that it is not supposed to be speeding but it is supposed to be safe. That is the first quality that it offers and it is also supposed to be efficient”, he said.

The Governor, who also noted that some of the drivers reportedly wait at unauthorized terminals, warned that the practice must stop; pointing out that it is not part of the agreement reached with the people of Lagos .

“This is a new brand we are selling. It will only stop at approved terminals. This is what we offered. This is our side of the contract with the people of Lagos , we have to keep our own side of the bargain”, the Governor said adding, “it is how you manage it that will determine whether or not it will succeed”.

Also drawing their attention to other complaints from the public, the Governor said some drivers were accused of waiting at bus-stops for a full load, and advised, “Once you get to a terminus, you pick all the people at that terminus and move. The next bus after you will pick those waiting”.

On the other areas of complaint, which include wearing dirty uniforms and being discourteous to commuters, the Governor promised to do something about the uniform but advised the operators to treat the commuters as king.

Fashola, who said he had received reports that some of the drivers had been observed tampering with diesel from the vehicles at the toll gate, declared. “Lagosians are watching you. I am getting the reports and please let me continue to emphasize that this is about you. God forbid and I say Amen to that, you are putting the livelihood of 1759 people at risk every time you do anything that breaches our brand, our agreement and offer of service to Lagosians”.

Responding to some of the demands made earlier by a representative each of the BRT and LAGBUS respectively, Fashola announced that the State Government was at the moment looking at the design and costing of the BRT route extension to Ikorodu Town adding that Government was also looking at some areas where it could create priority lanes where dedicated lanes were not possible.

He also disclosed that 200 new buses were being expected in the next few weeks to join the fleet of the BRT buses adding that contract has been awarded to improve the quality of the service lanes while Government has made representation to the Federal Government to handover to it some of the disused yards in the State to be refurbished and used as additional depots for the buses.

On welfare, the Governor promised that something would be done in the short term. “We will mitigate what we can. I have spoken to your leaders. But on the long run it is you who will have to bake your own cake. As it gets bigger, you get better fed”, he said.