Lagos donates 50 buses to save Lagosians effects of fuel price hike

The Lagos State Government monday donated 50 new high-capacity bus rapid transit (BRT) vehicles to Primero Transport Services Limited to cushion effect of new pump price of petrol on its residents.

The firm’s Managing Director, Mr. Fola Tinubu, disclosed this at a news conference he addressed at its head office, Ikorodu alongside other top officials, ruling out likelihood of increasing fares due to rising inflation rate.

At the conference, Tinubu said the state government under the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode had donated 50 new BRT buses to Primero Transport Services Limited at the instance of prevailing economic challenges in the country.

He added that the decision of the state government would substantially reduce the effect of hike in fuel price on Lagos residents, hoping that more people in Ikorodu and its environs would patronise BRT.

The managing director explained that with what the Ambode administration had done, more commuters “will leave their cars at home and use BRT,” which he said, would go a long way in reducing traffic congestions to the road users and waiting time at various terminals.

He explained that the multiplier effect of this kind of intervention provided by the present administration “will lead to creation of more job opportunities for drivers, fleet officers, inspectors, mechanics, ticketers for smooth running and operations of the business.”

However, the managing director ruled out the likelihood of increasing fares along the Ikorodu-CMS corridor, noting that there was no reason to increase fares with what the buses the governor had donated.

Tinubu also disclosed the plan of the company to expand to other parts of the state, though Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) and the state government had not granted approval.

He reeled out the achievement of the company since its takeoff in November, noting that more than 1,500 persons “have been employed. With the 50 new buses from the state government, the company would employ more people.”

He added that the company provided services “to 300,000 commuters daily, though the target was 400,000. The firm has not been able to attain the feat due to reconstruction of the BRT lanes from Ojota to CMS.

Currently, the managing director put the travel time on the corridor at 45 minutes, noting that plan was underway “to ensure that no commuter waits at bus stations more 15 minutes. But presently no commuter waits at bus stations more than 30 minutes.”