From “Molue” To BRT, Now Electric Bus
Kunle Awosiyan
Most adults still have vivid memory of Lagos transport life inside the rugged 911 Mercedes Benz truck.
Converted to commercial buses, the “Molue” became a symbol of Lagos at the extinct of the primordial “Bolekaja” vehicle that served as intercity mode of transportation.
Of course, the “Molue” as sung by late Afrobeat legend, FelaAnikulapo Kuti defined the “suffering and smiling” life of Lagos commuters, it reminded the adults the good, the bad and the ugly side of transportation in Lagos.
When armed robbers would hijack the bus and robb passengers of their belongings, including money and jewelry.
However, at his assumption of office in 1999, the state governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu introduced the Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, through the Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority to move Lagosians as it gradually phased out the “Molue”.
BRT has been a success story except a reported case of crime and a few accidents since it began full operation about 14 years ago.
Successive administrations in the state had maintained the operation, even though they had failed to keep to quality, the buses are always on the road to ease movement of people at subsidised cost.
Successive governments had also improved on the BRT mode of payment from physical cash to the use of Cowry Card. This automation to a large extent had reduced corruption in the operation of BRT.
However, BRT operation is not insulated from occasional fuel scarcity and rise in fuel pump price. In the last three years, the state government had increased the transport fare twice.
First from N200 to N350 and it is N400 from Berger Bus Stop to Tafawa Balewa Square, Yaba, Oshodi. Even at N400, Echonewsgathered that the government was subsidising it.
But the maintenance of these vehicles is not encouraging in that non is functioning with air-condition anymore while all the USB charger in almost all the vehicles had been removed.
In 2018, the then state governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode had an agreement with an auto firm to supply 800 BRT buses to boost its fleet. At the time, those procured by his predecessor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola had depreciated so badly.
According to the erstwhile commissioner for transportation,r. Mr. Ladi Lawanson, the administration of Ambode took the delivery of 300 in October of 2018 but could not take the remaining 500.
Some of the buses were still on the high sea coming to Lagos when Ambode lost the ticket for his second term. The buses were at the Lagos Seaport for months until the present Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu assumed office and later cleared it.
Some of the old vehicles, according to investigation by our correspondent were sold to individuals. The vehicles are still on the road but in bad condition.
However, BRT operation suffered serious setback in 2020 when 80 of the buses were set ablaze by ENDSARS rioters. The rioters who were protesting against the activities of the Special Anti Robbery Squad, a unit of the Nigeria Police Force.
Lagos lost buses worth N3.9 billion to the riot. Nevertheless, the state government in its magnanimity reduced the BRT fare from N400 to N200 during fuel scarcity in between December and March to ease residents movement.
It reverted to the old fare of N400 a few weeks ago.
However, with the present heavy traffic in Lagos due to the rehabilitation of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and its resultant effect on the litres of diesel being burnt by the BRT Bus, the state government is set to change to electric engine buses.
Governor Sanwo-Olu said while taking the delivery of the first set of electric buses meant for public transportation that the new idea would reduce carbon emissions and increase efficiency.
To him, the electric bus is cost-efficient, adding, “The initiative was achieved owing to the state government’s partnership with Oando Clean Energy Limited.
“With the ability to travel 280km at full charge, taking into account our unique travel times in Lagos, our electric buses are a game-changer. With an average daily usage of 200km by existing BRTs, there is no need to fear that the buses can stop while in transit,” Sanwo-Olu said.
“Our new electric buses will not only reduce carbon emissions but will also increase efficiency. This means that Lagosians can say goodbye to high fuel costs and hello to cost-efficient transportation.
He stated that the government will begin to run a pilot scheme over the next “We shall be running a pilot scheme over the next few months to gather sufficient data required to analyse the operational efficiencies relative to the current BRT buses to further improve our public transport service. This collaboration is a testament to our commitment to creating a sustainable future for Lagos.”
About six years ago, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce representing Bayelsa South had sponsored a bill at the National Assembly that the country should make law that would gradually phase out gas engine vehicle and usher in electric ones.
His bill was not given any attention, meanwhile Lagos was watching and planning on how it would launch its first set of electric bus.
Today, Lagos has blazed the trail, becoming the first state to launch electric bus.
