Lagos State,  the economic hub of Nigeria, is notorious for a terrifying road traffic.

Every day, over 8 million people, commute in approximately 5 million vehicles cram into a tiny network of just 9,100 roads.

This contributes to the reason why Lagosians spend an average of 30 hours in traffic each week -- or 1,560 hours annually.

Successive Governments in the State have tried to find a lasting solution to the mass transit challenges in the state. One of such proffered solution is the provision of comfortable high-capacity mass transit buses.

In this article, we will be highlighting the efforts made by former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and the incumbent Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in the provision of these mass transit buses.


800 Buses: Ambode Vs. Sanwo-Olu


Former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode



Former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode was known for his zeal towards the improvement of transportation infrastructure in Lagos state.

In May 2016, he donated 50 new buses for BRT operations in the state.

According to him, the donation was intended to cushion any effect that the removal of subsidy and subsequent increase in the petrol price will have on Lagosians.

Primero Transport Services Limited – a privately-own company and the sole BRT operator in Lagos - was the beneficiary of Ambode's largess.

According to Fola Tinubu, the Managing Director, Primero Transport Limited, "the governor’s gesture would not only cushion the effect of fuel price, but it would also stabilize transport fares".

In November 2017, the Ambode-led government announced that it would be injecting 800 new buses in two months; with the aim of making available 5,000 buses in 24 months. And true to the promise, the buses were introduced.

On April 24, 2019, President Buhari formally launched the 800 brand new buses.

The 800 buses acquired by Ambode are not part of the Lagos BRT scheme. Instead, they were placed under the management of the Lagos Bus Service Limited (LBSL).

Lagos Bus Services Limited (LBSL)

The Lagos Bus Service Limited (LBSL) is an agency of the Lagos State government that was incorporated in August 2016. It was set up as a transport asset acquisition, operations, and advisory services company.

The infrastructure provided for the smooth operations of the LBSL buses includes bus shelters, lay-bys, bus flags, terminals, and depots at various strategic points along the routes.

The LBSL-supervised buses are not part of the Lagos BRT scheme. As a matter of fact, they are not permitted to use the dedicated BRT lanes in Lagos.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode failed in his second term attempt. Thus, he was hindered from achieving his ambition of injecting 5000 new buses into the system.

He is currently under probe by the Lagos State House of Assembly. The ex-governor is being investigated by the parliamentarians for acquiring 820 buses without their consent. He reportedly spent N45Billion in purchasing the buses.

Source: https://autojosh.com/800-buses-ambode-vs-sanwo-olu-photos/

Babajide Sanwo-Olu



Babajide Sanwo-Olu was sworn in as the Governor of Lagos State on Wednesday, May 29, 2019.

He expressed enormous enthusiasm in confronting the traffic challenge in the state.

On June 3, 2019,  Sanwo-Olu donated 35 brand new high-capacity shuttle buses to the Lagos State Civil Service.

On October 2019, just like Ambode, Governor Sanwo-Olu acquired over 800 new buses.

In a series of tweet, the governor declared, "Beyond road construction, we have started expanding the bus rapid transit system and gradually reducing the danfo buses on the roads. I am excited to announce that we have purchased over 800 buses to add to the existing BRT fleet expanding to more routes. We are supportive of private investment in transportation that is non-exploitative".

BRT Vs. Non-BRT

The 800 buses bought by Governor Sanwo-Olu are intended for BRT operations. This is unlike the over 800 buses bought by Ambode. The cost of acquiring the buses is yet to become public knowledge.

The acquisition and donation of the buses to a private transport company by the Sanwo-Olu have come under criticism.

Some analysts wondered why the Governor, who claims he met an empty treasury, embarked on such charity.

They also queried the sense in donating the buses to a private company when they could have been donated to the State government-operated Lagos Bus Services Limited (LBSL).

The donation of the buses came 2 weeks after Governor Sanwo-Olu sent a letter to the state Assembly to get approval for a fixed rate bond of N100 billion from the capital market and an internal loan of N150 billion.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu is the 15th Governor of Lagos State.

Bus Na Bus Abeg

Every time Lagos this lagos that..

Na only lagos dey for this we naija?

This sanwo-olu is clueless and confused.

now Zombies are we clear on who the owner of primero is?

Hmmm

Ambode the akpu plus Sanwaolu the gator chief.

E no easy to put gator for jeans....

No meaning

Autojoshng


You again?
I mark your face

Either Ambose or Sanwo-Olu, the most important thing is that both Yorubas and by extension Lagosians should keep winning.

Bus expansion is not our problem now cos there are enough buses; all we need is good and quality road network in Lasgidi lobatan.

800 x 2.

That's a lot of buses

Na still the same thing...
If u kw u kw




Shey na ambode carry money go buy am buy himself nii....



Still the same company but different administration....




They are all thief’s

1600 buses in total..
Nice development

AutoJoshNG:
Babajide Sanwo-Olu



Babajide Sanwo-Olu was sworn in as the Governor of Lagos State on Wednesday, May 29, 2019.

He expressed enormous enthusiasm in confronting the traffic challenge in the state.

On June 3, 2019,  Sanwo-Olu donated 35 brand new high-capacity shuttle buses to the Lagos State Civil Service.

On October 2019, just like Ambode, Governor Sanwo-Olu acquired over 800 new buses.

In a series of tweet, the governor declared, "Beyond road construction, we have started expanding the bus rapid transit system and gradually reducing the danfo buses on the roads. I am excited to announce that we have purchased over 800 buses to add to the existing BRT fleet expanding to more routes. We are supportive of private investment in transportation that is non-exploitative".

BRT Vs. Non-BRT

The 800 buses bought by Governor Sanwo-Olu are intended for BRT operations. This is unlike the over 800 buses bought by Ambode. The cost of acquiring the buses is yet to become public knowledge.

The acquisition and donation of the buses to a private transport company by the Sanwo-Olu have come under criticism.

Some analysts wondered why the Governor, who claims he met an empty treasury, embarked on such charity.

They also queried the sense in donating the buses to a private company when they could have been donated to the State government-operated Lagos Bus Services Limited (LBSL).

The donation of the buses came 2 weeks after Governor Sanwo-Olu sent a letter to the state Assembly to get approval for a fixed rate bond of N100 billion from the capital market and an internal loan of N150 billion.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu is the 15th Governor of Lagos State.

So, a concession to manage and operate is now what bloggers call donation?

Blogger blogger, no credibility..

[quote author=kleverley post=83395982[i]]1.6 million buses in total..[/i]
Nice development[/quote]




Lol no be only 1.6million buses

kleverley:
1.6 million buses in total..
Nice development

Hmm

All nah to use nah to chop and clean mouth money.







I sell cheap and super neat laptops with free delivery and pay on delivery.
Details on signature.

fraudsters

Shame of the Same. All na money making venture for some peoples pocket!!! Fix the road for us and leave washy abeg!!

Lagos will be good, forward ever.

seankafor:
Every time Lagos this lagos that..

Na only lagos dey for this we naija?

E dey pain you ni

When Lekki Sea port is completed, Dangote Refinery comes on board and Eco Atlantic City fully in Operation, I swear Lagos go demand for independence