By Michael Olatunji
SUNRISE NEWS, Lagos, Aug 12, 2020 Three franchise operators Primero Transport Services Limited, TSL, and Amalgamated Transport Services begins operation at the Terminal 2 of the Oshodi Transport Interchange (OTI) yesterday, barely 24 hours after the terminal and the BRT corridor was flagged off by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday.
Activities however rolled off on a slow pace at the terminal, due largely to the poor awareness created on the opening by the government.
A handful of commuters were seen at the ticket booths, collecting their Cowry Card, which they are entreated to load immediately, with the bus fare before approaching the loading bay, where they file into the buses.
As at 12 noon when SUNRISE NEWS visited the terminal to monitor activities, about 30 High Capacity Vehicles (HCV) were said to have loaded and departed for Abule-Egba.
Solaja said the Planet Projects Limited, the operator of the terminals would simply be ensuring the strict compliance of all operators to the laid down guidelines issued by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) which is the regulator.
Osilaja said PPL and LAMATA are working hand in hand to ensure seamless operation of the terminal and deploy buses on the BRT corridor.
He observed that there are some issues surrounding the optimization of the route, adding that some sections around Cement, Iyana-Dopemu, Iyana Ipaja are narrow and are impeding movement of the buses even as the terminal at Abule-Egba is still largely under construction.
He said while PPL is deploying from the terminal at Oshodi, it is LAMATA’s sole responsibility to deploy at Abule-Egba.
Solaja disclosed that PPL envisages that traffic would peak on the Abule-Egba route in the evening, when people would be returning home from work or their various trading posts.
A top PPL official Mr Mfon Edet said the firm would ensure the Standard Operational Procedures (SOP) governing the terminal are strictly complied with by the operator. He said the terminal is committed to providing efficient, comfortable and reliable service along the corridor.
He said drivers who would be operating at the terminals cannot drive one way and cannot be reckless or park recklessly within the terminal. There are designated places for parking and approved speed limit.
“The terminal is meant to promote passenger/vehicle relationship, we are committed to ensuring that all users are protected,” he said.
Edet observed that there may still be some hitches on the corridor as commercial activities are just taking off. He said a lot of things would improve on the corridor by next week as more passengers become more aware of the presence of the buses.
Excited commuters have been praising the government for the BRT initiative on the Abule-Egba corridor.
Mrs Idiat Oyewale, a trader said the government must be commended for bringing more comfort to the masses. She however pleaded with the government to take another look at the fare. She said a N300 fare from Oshodi to Abule Egba is rather too high, especially if the cost of N100 pre-COVID-19 fare is considered.
“Government ought to subsidize the cost of transportation on all routes plied by public transportation, especially the Abule-Egba route because of the heavy commuter traffic. We would be very happy if our governor would look into this and direct a reduction in fares,” she said.