Some BRT passengers in the Ikeja/Oshodi corridor have petitioned the Lagos State Government to beef up security on the buses in order to improve commuter safety.
Some BRT riders, speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, urged the government to use technology to improve and protect commuters’ safety and avoid a repeat of the “Bamise saga.”
The BRT, according to a shopkeeper in Computer Village who only identified himself as Okwudili, is the hope of business people who have to catch up on business appointments early.
Okwudili, who talked to NAN at the Mangoro bus corridor, said the growing BRT fleet was amazing, but that government operations should be improved and digitalized for efficiency and safety.
“The government has outlawed Okada on roads; BRT is the quickest mode of transportation we have, particularly for business people.”
“When you travel to other nations, you will notice that there are no traffic jams since the government has given large, high-capacity buses everywhere.”
“The murder of Bamise should prompt a roundtable conversation among all transportation stakeholders on how to make BRT safer.”
Internationally, transportation is major business, and I believe Gov. Sanwo-Olu can handle it,” he remarked.
Miss Peju Pedro, a University of Lagos 300-level student, stated, “It’s scarier traveling BRT at night now because I’m frightened of rape or death.” They should be made safer by the government.”
Pedro, who spoke to NAN at the BRT terminal in Alausa beside ShopRite Superstores, urged the government to seek private-sector assistance in efficiently regulating BRT operations.
Master Joseph Kushima, a pupil at Agidingbi Junior High School, told NAN that the bus was helping to transport students to school for free.
“We appreciate BRT; they should not stop it,” he stated, adding that if there is protection, “no driver can harm anyone.”
Miss Bamise Ayanwola, a late 22-year-old fashion designer, went missing on February 26 after boarding a BRT bus piloted by Mr Andrew Nice.
Afraid of public outrage that may lead to destruction or attacks on the fleet, the state government suspended the operations of BRT for two days, leading to an outcry by commuters, who were stranded at various bus stops forcing the government to restore the fleet.
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