Is there a shortage of BRT buses in Lagos?

On February 19, at Bolade bus stop, the Record observed long queues forming for various BRT routes. A bus to Ayobo departed at 4:27pm, and another arrived at 4:33 p.m.—a relatively short wait. But for commuters like Mary Adegbite, a NAFDAC official who

A digital marketer and thrift store entrepreneur, Wani Ojo prefers taking the BRT from Oshodi to Abule-Egba, where she shops at the popular Katangua thrift market once every week.

For Ojo, the BRT is a more convenient option than the yellow-and-black public buses, which are often cramped and make frequent stops that extend travel time. But while the ride itself is smoother, the challenge lies in boarding. On weekday mornings, she joins the queue as early as 6:30am. On some days, she gets lucky and waits only briefly; on others, it takes 30 minutes to an hour to secure a bus as there are only two to three buses available.

“The return trip from Abule-Egba to Oshodi is easier because the morning rush has eased,” she told The Record. “But getting back to the Island is a struggle. Last week, I waited from 1pm to almost 4pm for a bus. I got home late at night.”

Ojo’s experience reflects the growing pressure on Lagos’ Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, which was launched in March 2008 under the ad…