Sanwo-Olu commissions 550 BRT buses, e-ticketing point

OSHODI, Lagos, Nigeria – Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday commissioned 14 Bus Rapid Transit, BRT stations along the Oshodi- Abule Egba corridor; just as he commissioned 550 high and medium capacity buses, and an e-ticketing point.

According to the governor, the newly-commissioned first phase uBRT lane will reduce traffic congestion along the axis and commute between 60 to 80,000 passengers daily, with the potential of commuting 100,000 passengers when fully completed in the second phase.

At the commissioning, which held at the Iyana Dopemu terminal, the governor said the new BRT lane was in fulfillment of his administration’s commitment to ease traffic on the Oshodi-Abule Egba road.

“We came here in January and we said we will come.back on May 29 but the Covid-19 did not allow us. But I am happy we are here to commission it now. We are happy we are giving this to our people. We have not allowed Covid-19 to prevent us from delivering on the promises we have made to our people. We are beginning to see Lagos command megacity status and demonstrate that we want a Lagos that is alive,” Sanwo-Olu said.

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He also said as the first pillar of his T.H.E.M.E.S agenda, transportation system in the state will be rejuvenated with the integrated transport system which the state is planning.

He added that 100,000 tags will be distributed to commuters at the BRT terminal, with which they can load money for transport fare. The tag, he said, can also be used to board ferries and other transport systems provided by the government.

The governor further said the new BRT corridor will reduce travel time from Oshodi-Abule Egba from 1hour 30 minutes to 30 minutes, adding that when the service begins to run at full capacity, a total of 100,000 passengers would be commuted daily on the axis. He also promised that the BRT lane would be extended to Sango-Otta in nearby Ogun State.

He appealed to Lagosians to cooperate with the government by not destroying facilities provided.

“Let us protect what government has provided for us. Let us maintain it well and take ownership of it. This is a beginning of a new experience,” he urged.

In his remarks, Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Frederick Oladehinde, said the government is passionate about welfare of the people and urged the people not to “sabotage the common wealth.”