Lagos Yellow Buses: Unmistakable Moving Death Chambers

Lagos is a beautiful state, no doubt. Over the years records show that the state has been blessed by good leaders, who have left enduring legacies through the implementation of  programmes and policies that have addressed several societal issues plaguing the state  including poverty and unemployment. However one thing that has continued to raise growing concerns among residents and Lagosians alike is the decayed state of most of the buses (Danfo and Molue)

 

that ply the inter-city Lagos routes. Despite better access roads and improved BRT bus transit scheme across Lagos, the situation with the popular 'yellow buses' seems to have worsened with time, and right now the state of these buses is simply deplorable. Lets analyse it.

The moment any of them pulls over at a bus stop, do not be in hurry to hop in. Take a minute off and thoroughly assess the vehicle you wish to board. The outside will uncover a rickety bus that will certainly fail road worthiness test  as many times as possible. A glance at the rim readily reveals worn out tyres spinning on the road as if responding to the irresistible beat of congo musics of the 80′s. The exhaust pipe uncovers a car emitting a quantity of carbon monoxide that will be enough to sophocate the whole of Sao Tome and Principe. Then getting on board you must be very careful with the sharp edges everywhere – from the seats to the side glasses –  that have lost their original smoothness to series of panel beating works and modifications aimed at creating more seats, which means increased returns. Some have become so sharp that any careless firm grip automatically sends a passenger to the emergency ward of a nearby hospital. Then attempt sitting on what ordinary should be a seat you would end up wondering if you just landed on Olumo Rock; the result of having landed on a ‘seat’ which is nothing but the lethal combination of rough pieces of iron and wood. With these kind of seats I doubt if there will ever be a survivor in any of these buses in the event of a crash. In fact, those who managed to survive will obviously make an inevitable trip to the orthopedic ward of the Igbobi General Hospital to treat severe fracture.

Moreover, you would have to battle serious noise pollution coming from all corners of the bus; engine groaning from reckless driving, doors screeching like forest crickets at nights, bus assistant ( conductor) shouting threat and insults at whosoever that crosses his path, hawkers, preachers, advertisers, just name them. To be frank, it will be more tolerable to live right inside London Heathrow Airport than cope with the type of noise you encounter in many of these buses. Not only that, at times there is a type of gas that infiltrates some of these buses which leave passengers with no other option than to ‘cry’ happily due to the peppery nature of the gas. Maybe, Lagos State government does not know. Instead of spending hard earned tax-payers money equipping law enforcement agents with tear gas canisters some of these buses can  serve as a tear gas cage for hoodlums. What it takes could be a flick on the ignition and the hoodlum could be punished for as long as the car steams. Do I even talk about the drivers who drive so recklessly that passengers sometimes end up wondering whether they were in a BAC 1-11 flight facing enormous turbulence mid air. The list is just endless.

While I appreciate the well-focused efforts of the Lagos State government at improving the transport system within the metropolis, I am however of the opinion that a minimum standard be introduced, which must be implemented strictly to ensure the safety of goods and passengers. For instance, seats in most of these buses are reconstructed to rake in more cash for' Oga Driver'. However, the Lagos State Ministry of Transport can set regulations on materials that must be used in the making the seat instead of uncovered wood and rough iron. Taking this important decision must be given accelerated attention to bring an end to what has been a long nightmare for many average Nigerians living in Lagos state.