Bamise: Relief as BRT resumes operations in Lagos

The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) has resumed its operations across Lagos State.

The PUNCH reported, on Tuesday, that the BRT operations were suspended across the state following the death of 22-year-old Bamise Ayanwola.

The suspension of the BRT services led to what some commuters called a “very terrible situation” as stranded passengers were seen in large numbers at major bus stops and BRT terminals, while many took to trekking to their destinations.

“We had to start queuing up to board Danfo (yellow buses), and the fares also tripled. It was a very terrible situation,” a commuter told our correspondent.

However, there was relief Wednesday morning as the BRT terminal in Ikorodu, visited by our correspondent, was open for operations with some buses boarding passengers.

An official of Primero told the PUNCH that operations have fully resumed across the state.

Asked if issues leading to the suspension had been resolved, the official said, “We can only be patient to see how things turn out.

“Nobody is happy with the incident, however, because of the suffering of Lagosians occasioned by yesterday’s suspension, we have to resume operations today.

“What I can confirm is that the Lagos State government is on top of the situation.

“Also, staff, especially our drivers, have been charged to be more careful and proactive while discharging their duties.”

He noted that the Lagos State government was working out modalities that would ensure the safety of Lagosians, and he appealed to commuters not to lose their trust in the BRT services.

A commuter, who simply gave her name as Susan, told our correspondent that, “Yesterday was tough. I wouldn’t have left the house today if not that it was mandatory for me to be at work. But coming here to see that the BRT operations have resumed, one can only heave a sigh of relief.”