BRT: COMFORT WITH DISPLEASURE

When Babatunde Raji Fashola (BRF) introduced the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), it was a sigh of relief to Lagosians, as the initiative was a fantastic alternative to the worrying system of transportation in the state. Much was said about whose idea it was: of Tinubu or of Fashola? Whichever the case, what mattered to progressives like us was that a people-friendly initiative was ideated by government - period!

To make the applaudable step a reality, sacrifice was required of Lagosians. Houses were demolished resulting in destitution of the indigent; shops were pulled down and businesses truncated - all to build 'monopolistic' passages for the special buses. The sacrifice was so much that some have not regained their losses to date, and may probably never regain them forever.

In no distant time, roads were expanded, BRT special lanes created and Lagosians passionately patronised the business. It was started with subsidised fares, but the benevolence never lasted an appreciable span. It was almost dead on arrival. Despite this, the scheme was still patronised by Lagosians, as it was, to a large extent, a respite (in terms of comfort) compared to the yellow buses where humans are squeezed like fish in a sardine tin.

From the outset, BRT terminuses were usually filled up with queues all day, but the availability and accessibility of buses used to lessen the accompanying stress faced by passengers. Regrettably, the manageable situation has graduated from bad to worse, as the terminuses are now usually crowded by prospective passangers without buses to convey them to their various destinations. The situation is now much worse that one can no more be optimistically calculative of when to get to one's destination.

The sorry administration of the BRT almost got me into a carry-over sometime ago. I had an electronic post-graduate examination between 10 and 11am. After waiting almost aimlessly with no single bus to our aid, I had to forcefully seek succor with a yellow bus, and I couldn't get to the exam point until 12 noon. Apparently, the exam had been concluded. But to Allah be the glory that it was CBT, and that the invigilator had a listening ear. The exam was however done under emotional stress caused by the poor administration of the BRT.

Today, the BRT is a nightmare. The long queues at the terminuses says it all. It may be argued that this is due to the cosmopolitan nature of the state. But where there are empty buses parked and queues keep upping and passengers' precious, valuable time delayed and wasted for hours, the administration of the scheme needs some shake-up or an overhaul. No one can tell if this is the attitude of the 'pilots' or the ineptitude of the personnel at the helms of affairs.

The BRT may have air-conditioners for comfort. It may have special lanes to ensure quickness to one's destination. Unfortunately, it isn't without squeamish, nauseating displeasure of the customers whose patronage is the reason the business booms.

Mr Governor - Akinwunmi Ambode - should hearken to this clarion call and do as promised Lagosians.