Lagos Government Addresses BRT Bus Replacement Delay

The Lagos State Government, through Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, addressed the delay in replacing Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses that were burnt during the #EndSARS protests. Hamzat stated that the cost of acquiring new buses has surged from approximately N80 million to N280 million each, making it challenging for the state to replace the 200 buses destroyed during the protests.

He noted that the state had anticipated the need to withdraw some buses from service after seven or eight years, which has made the replacement of the burnt buses more urgent. Despite the need, the government has not been able to replace all 200 buses, contributing to the current shortage of BRT services for commuters.

Hamzat's figure of 200 buses contrasts with a previous report from April 2021 by then Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, which stated that 80 BRT vehicles were destroyed. The destruction occurred amid the violence following the protests in October 2020, with significant damage reported at the Oyingbo BRT terminus.

The government is considering increased private-sector participation in public transportation to address the shortfall.