Ibrahim Mu’azu Salenke
Teachers of Sultan Bello Primary School, Unguwan Sarki, Kaduna, have been briefed on the Kaduna Bus Rapid Transit (KBRT) Project and its potential implications for the school and surrounding communities.
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The engagement, held on the school premises, brought together teachers, including the Assistant Head Teacher, Mrs Zainab Salahudeen, and members of the project’s management team.
The Community and Social Development Specialist of the Project Management Unit (PMU), Dr Abdulkadir Ja’afar, explained that the school’s proximity to an existing road and some of the proposed BRT infrastructure made early engagement with the school community necessary.
Dr Ja’afar described Kaduna BRT as a major urban transport initiative designed to improve mobility, reduce traffic congestion and provide a more efficient, reliable and accessible public transport system across the Kaduna metropolis.
He explained that the buses would operate on dedicated lanes separate from general traffic, while electronic ticketing would make fare payments faster and more convenient.
He added that the main corridor would extend to Refinery Junction, with feeder routes connecting surrounding communities.
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According to him, the buses and facilities would incorporate accessibility features for persons with disabilities, older people and passengers with mobility challenges, with each bus having a capacity of approximately 50 passengers.
Dr Ja’afar said Intelligent Transport System (ITS) facilities and centralised control-centre monitoring would support operations and enhance passenger safety and security.
On fares, he explained that passengers would pay through an electronic ticketing system, with charges designed to remain reasonable and affordable.
Responding to concerns about whether pupils would enjoy discounted fares, dedicated buses or reserved seats, Dr Ja’afar said the BRT was designed as a public transport service for the general population.
He, however, noted that discounted fares or other concessions for students could be explored, with any decision communicated to relevant stakeholders.
Dr Ja’afar said the meeting was part of the preliminary stakeholder engagement process, assuring that further consultations would be organised as the project progresses to enable schools and other institutions to raise concerns and make recommendations.
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Speaking on behalf of the teachers, the Assistant Head Teacher, Mrs Zainab Salahudeen, appealed to the project management to consider reduced fares and dedicated seats for pupils to make the service more accessible to schoolchildren.
FRCN