Kano Mass Transit Scheme: A way forward
Mass transit scheme is a system of transporting people from one location to the other through bus, train or subway etc. in towns or cities. Designated mass transit and others must accommodate 40 people and above. Mass transit service scheme is the modern and widely acceptable means of transportation within the city because of its […]
Mass transit scheme is a system of transporting people from one location to the other through bus, train or subway etc. in towns or cities. Designated mass transit and others must accommodate 40 people and above. Mass transit service scheme is the modern and widely acceptable means of transportation within the city because of its peculiar features such as being cheap, convenience, efficiency, safety and environmentally friendly.
Kano being one of the most populous cities in West Africa and commercial hub of sub-Saharan region, had for decades been suffering from poor and unorganised forms of transportation services within the city. There is also no existing strategic transport development master plan which the state may use to guide the growth and development of the transportation sector in view of ever-growing and expansion of the city.
Consequently, as good as Kano is for tourism and other business potentialities, movement within the city often is characterised with a lot of challenges like delay, congestion and accidents on a daily basis largely because of the use of tricycles.
However, there was an improvement after the establishment of the Kano Road Traffic Agency (KAROTA) in 2012. Aside from that, attempts were made by successive administrations, in collaboration with the private sector, towards the realisation of mass transit in Kano but to no avail.
On October 30, 2022, the state governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, launched the historic 100 buses and 50 taxi cabs tagged “Kanawa bus and taxi services for commuters”. Indeed that was a laudable project even though only few buses were seen plying the designated routes.
However, for sustainability of this project, the government needs to seek more knowledge from the experience of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) and other identified international models for its sustenance and development.
There is no doubt Lagos State Government has made tremendous progress in sustaining its Bus Rapid Transit (BRT).
Presently, Lagos BRT has 55,000 buses plying well over 28 routes according to reports, with state of the arts terminal facilities and close to 200,000 passengers patronise the bus services daily.
The government has also introduced a train service which is to be inaugurated in December.
Going by these, it is apparent that Kano State has a long way to go to boost, sustain and consolidate its mass transit system.
According to the UN report, the populations of most cities in developing countries will double by 2050 and movement pattern will be one of the major challenges envisaged. So, the earlier we take action the better for us.
Abubakar Sani wrote from Zoo Road, Kano