Over the past few decades, there has been enormous increase in the technology and innovation of public transport systems, from the petrol powered vehicles to diesel powered vehicles to petrol plus electric vehicle to electric powered vehicle and even hydrogen fuel-cell powered vehicles. Several advanced countries are moving parallel towards the trend of transport technology for more sustainable, greener and efficient means of conveying passengers and goods.
Energy use in transportation sector has made a major contribution to the deterioration of urban air quality and it’s responsible for significant amount of greenhouse gas emission.
Increase in trade and economic growth: the investment in transport mobility system and network should be encouraged most especially the public transportation sector of Nigeria. The rise in energy consumption is as a result of increase in the use of private car to convey oneself daily which leads the high level of congestion and local pollution. The negative effects on increased mobility are bound to become worse until strong policy interventions are implemented on cars for urban mobility.
Nigeria as the 8th largest oil producing OPEC member country, petroleum products accounting for about 86 percent of her yearly revenue indicates that the country would perhaps find it challenging to abstain from petroleum based transport system. Effort on making transport greener will need to be carefully observed in order to keep a balance. Efficient transport system is critical to the country’s economic development, as it provides access to jobs, opportunities, trade and commerce, manufacturing and logistics to market, encourages foreign investors as well as social interactions and connection.
Nigeria suffers from rapidly growing population and this leads to heavy road network congestion, the transport and land use development body are constantly approaching this problem with high level of investment on new road infrastructure. However, the problem of congestion still persists as more private car owners surface. The country needs to invest more in a distinct public transport service provided by a governmental or privately owned but government controlled body with reasonable subsidy and steep charges for private car owners. The coverage of the cities will need to be very carefully planned and also taking into account daily commuters from neighboring regions.
Lagos state for instance have taken a step forward in encouraging commuters to use the Bus Rapid Transit “BRT” system which operates on fuel powered vehicles and has its own dedicated lane. The BRT has proven to be efficient as the travel time is being reduced and passenger satisfaction is nearly reached. However, more attention needs to be paid to this system: extending the route coverage networks, effective travel time schedule, creating access to park and ride facility at major stops, providing passenger information.
Changes can be implemented gradually, until the society realize the benefits and reliability of a new sustainable transport system. Less travel time and comfortability is a key factor that can convince the private car owner. Most importantly, we shouldn’t just follow the demands by constructing new roads but rather influence the demands by creating the best alternative to the services needed.
“If you provide good alternatives of public transportation, you wouldn’t have traffic problems”. Jaime Lerner.
Kenku Mobolaji
Mobolaji is studying for an MSc in Transportation Engineering Budapest University of Technology and Economics.
