The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Bus Rapid Transit

  • BRT driver ‘kills woman, 25’

    Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) driver, Theophilus Nsofor, was on Wednesday arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly killing a 25-year-old woman, Blessing Philip.

    Nsofor, who lives in Ijoko area of Ogun State, is facing a three-count charge of reckless driving, manslaughter and driving without particulars before Magistrate, Mrs M.I. Dan-Oni .

    Prosecuting Inspector Victor Eruada said Nsofor committed the offence on May 27, at Iyana-Ipaja by Danco Filling Station, Lagos.

    Eruada alleged that the defendant, who drove a BRT bus marked JJJ 152 XL, drove recklessly and caused the death of the woman.

    According to him, Nsofor drove on the public highway without a driver’s license, vehicle license, certificates of roadworthiness and insurance.

    The defendant pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate Dan-Oni granted him N100,000 bail with one surety in the like sum.

    She ordered that the surety must be gainfully employed and possess evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

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    She adjourned till July 24.

    Also yesterday, a 21- year-old driver, Innocent Rufus was before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly kidnapping a woman and demanding N1million ransom.

    Rufus is charged with conspiracy, kidnapping and threat to life.

    Eruada said the defendant committed the offence on May 21 around 9pm at Kofoworola Street, Okupe Estate, Maryland, Lagos.

    He said the defendant conspired to kidnap a housewife, Mrs Margaret Barovbe and demand N1 million from her family.

    Eruada also alleged that Rufus threatened to kill Barovbe’s husband if he failed to pay the ransom.

    The defendant pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate Dan-On granted him N100,000 bail two sureties in the like sum.

    She adjourned till July 11.

  • Lagos boosts transit payment system with contactless card

    Over 500,000 daily commuters on the Lagos Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system can now board buses using a contactless card payment system. It is an enhancement which makes the Lagos Connect card launched last November by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode usable on mass transit systems anywhere in the world.

    Powered by Lagos State, LAMATA, Primero Transport Limited and Sterling Bank Plc, the enhanced electronic payment system was launched in partnership with leading global payment and technology companies – Mikroelektronica, MasterCard, E-Purse Systems, Monet Plus, NIBSS, Epay-plus and SecureID in Lagos. It allows commuters who ride on BRT buses to make payments via their Lagos Connect contactless cards powered by Farepay that have either been pre-loaded or linked to a funded bank account.

    Largest of its scale in Africa, the Europay MasterCard and Visa (EMV) compliant contactless payment system was designed to speed up commuting time by making payment easier and faster because it empowers commuters to just tap their cards on a console to board a BRT bus. It eliminates the high turnaround time associated with cash-based ticket purchases.

    The launch of the Lagos Connect EMV compliant contactless card powered by Farepay on the BRT system puts Lagos ahead of some mega cities including New York in terms of implementation.

    Abubakar Suleiman, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Sterling Bank said the bank is intent on achieving its primary role of financial intermediation through intervention in sectors that will create jobs and bring about economic growth for the country. He identified such sectors as health, education, agriculture, renewable energy and transport.

    Abubakar stated that the bank is proud to collaborate with Lagos State, LAMATA, Primero, E-Purse Systems and MasterCard to launch a multimodal contactless payment card for use on mass transit buses, ferries and trains in the Lagos metropolis.

    “This is another major step forward in enhancing the commuting experience and social well-being of more than 80 per cent of Lagos residents who rely on public transport daily. Sterling Bank is committed to improving standards in a sector that is a crucial of driver economic growth and determinant of social well-being for both urban and rural residents. We are driven by the understanding that an efficient transport system facilitates trade, reduces poverty, creates economic and social opportunities while enhancing human development through greater mobility,” he informs.

    Chief Demola Seriki, Chairman, Primero Transport Limited, described the launch of the enhanced Lagos Connect EMV compliant contactless payment system powered by Farepay as symbolic. “We are delighted to unveil the enhanced Lagos Connect EMV compliant contactless payment system powered by Farepay. It is indicative of efforts to eliminate the inefficiencies associated with public transportation in Lagos. A lot of work is being put into transforming public transportation into a world class and sustainable industry which brings comfort to commuters and creates economic and social opportunities.”

     

     

     

  • Expert urges FG, citizens to prioritise infrastructure maintenance

    Mr Makinde Ogunleye, a former Chairman of the Nigeria Institute of Town Planners ( NITP ) Lagos State Chapter, on Tuesday urged governments at all levels, including citizens, to prioritise infrastructure maintenance.

    Ogunleye told our reporter,  in Lagos that lack of maintenance and sustainability culture among Nigerians was the bane of infrastructure development.

    He said that the housing and infrastructure development in Nigeria should have developed better than its current stage, if the country made maintenance of existing infrastructure a priority.

    According to him, lots of infrastructure and abandoned projects have been allowed to decay, due to lack of adequate maintenance.

    Ogunleye suggested that the government and the citizens should make maintenance of existing infrastructure a priority, if the development of such facility was to be improved upon.

    “It is when one learns to protect and sustain what he/she has, that he can be able to grow it.

    “Until Nigerians imbibe the maintenance culture, the country may not be able to improve its infrastructure status,” he said.

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    According to him, the country has got diverse infrastructure and capital projects, but lacks the ability to monitor, maintain and sustain them.

    “Generally, we believed in new projects,  which is good, but what matters is their sustenance.

    “The governments have performed well by developing the existing infrastructure and other capital projects, but it failed in their maintenance.

    “For instance, the Bus Rapid Transit ( BRT ) which was introduced in Lagos about 10 years ago, was not given adequate maintenance.

    “And that is why we are unable to sustain it; today, large number of the transit buses are parked because they can no longer function well,” he said.

    Ogunleye noted that the nation’s construction sector would have recorded remarkable growth if all the projects embarked opon in the past were completed and sustained.

    NAN

  • Lagos offers free bus ride on Easter Day

    Lagos offers free bus ride on Easter Day

    Commuters along the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and Bus Franchise Scheme (BFS) corridors would enjoy free ride in commemoration of Easter, the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

    The free bus service would be offered on the BRT corridor from Ikorodu to CMS by Primero Transport Services Limited, operator of the Ikorodu to CMS BRT system while Capetrust Investment Ltd, operator of the BFS would offered free bus service along the Maryland – Ikeja-Iyana-Ipaja – Ikotun- Igando corridor.

    Acting Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Mr. Iyiola Adegboye while felicitating with Lagosians on the Easter holiday said the state government was poised to ensure that the vision for a world class transport for Lagos became a reality.

    He enjoined Lagosians to use the period of resurrection of Jesus Christ to reflect on the challenges facing Nigeria and pray for the nation.

    He said the free bus service was part of the government’s effort to help commuters move around with ease in the face of the current fuel scarcity.