Governor Fashola announced that 200 additional high capacity buses would soon be added to the BRT fleet. He said the state had written to the Federal Government requesting the transfer of the Ijora Works Yard for use as depots to stow buses.

He disclosed that contract for the repair and strengthening of BRT lanes and resurfacing of the service lanes along Ikorodu Road had been awarded adding “we want to see how quickly the contractor can move to site.”

Governor Fashola however expressed displeasure at the driving habits of some of the bus pilots, particularly those who drove above the permitted speed limit for the buses, which had resulted in damages to the BRT buses.

“These buses are supposed to be safe and efficient. You are not to drive them at break-neck speed. The reports I get are that you overspeed. Do I get your commitment today that you will stick to the approved speed limit and not over-speed?” The BRT operatives responded in the affirmative.

On complaints that the BRT buses often stop to pick passengers at unauthorised locations besides the bus shelter, the Governor warned against the practice. He enjoined the pilots and bus officers to always ensure that their buses were clean, are courteous to the commuters and also ensure that their uniforms were clean and neat all times.

“You must be the model for other drivers in this state. You owe it a duty to show courtesy to everyone that boards your buses. Let us show the hospitality that Lagos is known; let us show it in the way we do business with the commuters,” Governor Fashola said.

The Governor promised the BRT operatives to assist in providing them with uniforms but enjoined them to keep to the agreements reached so as not to put BRT operations in jeopardy.

“Every time you do anything that breaches our agreement, you are putting the livelihood of over 1750 personnel at risk. And I would feel very sad if you were not honourable in keeping our agreements,” he said, adding however, “if you kept our agreements, I am ready to defend you through thick and thin. I will ensure that your rights are not abridged.” 
While welcoming the Governor, Managing Director, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola described the special meeting as significant because it was the first time the Governor was returning to the bus depot after he had commissioned the bus system on March 17th 2008.

The BRT system had since its launch carried over 12 million passengers using about 220 high capacity buses.

It would be recalled that a 30-man delegation from Ghana recently visited Lagos to understudy the composition and workings of LAMATA and the implementation and operations of the BRT system with a view to implementing a similar system in Accra, Ghana.