Commuters and other residents of Epe Local Government Area of Lagos have appealed to the state government to deploy buses in its Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) scheme to the area.

The residents made the appeal in interviews with journalists in Epe on Friday.

They said that the request became necessary to reduce transport challenges and economic hardship faced by Epe people, especially the less privileged.

A resident, Ayodeji Aladejobi, said that the deployment of BRT buses to Epe was long overdue.

He said that the state government had created a BRT lane on the Epe-Ibeju-Lekki axis but had yet to deploy buses to the route.

Mr Aladejobi said that many people travelled daily from Epe to Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland and other parts of the state.

“There is need for BRT buses to be deployed to Epe for conveying people in and out of the area daily,” he said.

A businesswoman, Adenike Okeowo, said that she boarded BRT buses whenever she came to Lagos city to buy goods.

“I live in Epe, but I love to ride on BRT buses whenever I come to the city because of the comfort, affordable cost and other luxuries.

“I wish the government can extend this comfort to the good people of Epe as part of their democracy dividends,” she said.

Ms Okeowo decried increases in transport fares from Epe to other parts of the state.

She said that the cost of transport from Epe to CMS on Lagos Island increased from N800 to N3,000.

She added that the cost of transport from Epe to Ajah increased from N400 to N1,300.

“The hardship is telling on the masses, the government should act fast by deploying BRT buses to Epe.

“Deployment of BRT buses to Epe will ease the suffering of the less privileged and force down the cost of transportation,” she said.

A community leader, Dotun Lamidi, claimed that the plan for deployment of BRT buses to Epe started with the administration of Akinwunmi Ambode.

“We have been expecting BRT buses in Epe since 2018, but till now, we are yet to get any government buses.

“We need BRT buses in Epe.

“We have many people travelling from Epe to different parts of Lagos on a daily basis; therefore, the government buses will serve a good purpose, ” he said.

Similarly, Mubarak Fatokun said that the deployment of BRT buses to Epe would reduce traffic congestion and help the poor.

She added that BRT buses would accommodate more commuters and provide comfort at an affordable cost.

“We have a good road network in Epe, it will be easy for BRT buses to ply, ” she said.

Ms Fatokun appealed to lawmakers representing Epe constituencies 1 and 2 in the Lagos State House of Assembly, as well as the Epe Local Government chairman to facilitate deployment of the buses to Epe.

(NAN)