Woke up this morning feeling the usual urge to spend more time with Georgie.. (By the way i'm male and Georgie is actually my bed,Yes it has a name) unfortunately i had to resist the urge as i had an appoinment for 8am.
Sadly i do not have a vehicle and have to navigate Lagos using the okada's, danfo buses and now the newly introduced BRT's. This has left me dreading Ikorodu road whenever i have to go out. Despite the unmistakable dangers (and exhilirating feelings), i usually employ Okada's as my preferred transport means, but alas this are a red flag on major roads and over very long distances.
Over the last two weekends, i've had to face the body and mind numbing experience of spending several hours in traffic, reason being that all vehicles have been restricted to using only two lanes instead of three since a single lane has been restricted to the BRT's and more most exchanges its like pushing large balls of pounded yam through a straw,it will eventually go through but it takes time and lots of patience.
This is not totally condeming the BRT's, they are rather nice to look at presently and its good seeing lagosians observe the 'normal' rule of queing for service instead of rushing like demented individuals from an apocalyptic movie but it also has several pitfalls too.
I have decided not to dwell on the problems, (i guess a simulation was never carried out before introducing this or the governor might have had nightmares about this). but will attempt to suggest some improvements.
1. For vehicles plying the Estate -V.I stretch and other commercial routes, the buses should move at scheduled times, wether or not they are filled up. This will encourage workers on the to employ this instead of having to drive to work, as they know that if they get to the bus before 6am, it will depart at that time and they will arrive at their offices on time too.
2. Insisting on stringent employment rules for drivers to prevent the program becoming a rehabilitation tool for unemployeable danfo and molue drivers.
3. Insisting on regular inspections and maintanance of the vehicles to prevent a repititon of the City bus, Labour bus and LSTC bus models
4.Exploring other transport channels to reduce the impact on Lagos roads.
Sadly i do not have a vehicle and have to navigate Lagos using the okada's, danfo buses and now the newly introduced BRT's. This has left me dreading Ikorodu road whenever i have to go out. Despite the unmistakable dangers (and exhilirating feelings), i usually employ Okada's as my preferred transport means, but alas this are a red flag on major roads and over very long distances.
Over the last two weekends, i've had to face the body and mind numbing experience of spending several hours in traffic, reason being that all vehicles have been restricted to using only two lanes instead of three since a single lane has been restricted to the BRT's and more most exchanges its like pushing large balls of pounded yam through a straw,it will eventually go through but it takes time and lots of patience.
This is not totally condeming the BRT's, they are rather nice to look at presently and its good seeing lagosians observe the 'normal' rule of queing for service instead of rushing like demented individuals from an apocalyptic movie but it also has several pitfalls too.
I have decided not to dwell on the problems, (i guess a simulation was never carried out before introducing this or the governor might have had nightmares about this). but will attempt to suggest some improvements.
1. For vehicles plying the Estate -V.I stretch and other commercial routes, the buses should move at scheduled times, wether or not they are filled up. This will encourage workers on the to employ this instead of having to drive to work, as they know that if they get to the bus before 6am, it will depart at that time and they will arrive at their offices on time too.
2. Insisting on stringent employment rules for drivers to prevent the program becoming a rehabilitation tool for unemployeable danfo and molue drivers.
3. Insisting on regular inspections and maintanance of the vehicles to prevent a repititon of the City bus, Labour bus and LSTC bus models
4.Exploring other transport channels to reduce the impact on Lagos roads.
Good ideas. It seems the service has been getting good reviews generally. I wonder if corporate organisations shouldnt be encouraged to join in i.e put buses on the road as well-not sure the govt can ramp up capacity fast enough-i know there are commercial issues to consider since the service also targets employees of these corporate organisations but i think there are enough customers to go round though
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