France partners Kaduna gov’t to implement first BRT project

Kaduna State Government (KDSG) and the French Development Agency (AFD), have joined forces to develop sustainable urban mobility that will improve the living conditions of residents of Kaduna Metropolis.

In line with France’s commitment towards achieving the 2030 Agenda, the Federal Ministry of Finance signed an agreement with AFD providing for a EUR 110 Million facility to Kaduna State in order to develop a state-of-the-art Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system.

The BRT system will help make the mobility system of Kaduna city safe, affordable and more reliable, while improving its accessibility to residents, according to a statement by the French Embassy in Abuja.

The embassy said an estimated 100,000 inhabitants will have direct access to the BRT corridor, while 160,000 passengers are expected to commute daily on the system.

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The Kaduna BRT Project is the Transport Component of the ambitious Urban Renewal Program of the Kaduna State Government.

It is being implemented by the Kaduna State Transport Regulatory Authority (KADSTRA) and will overhaul the public transport system in the metropolis towards a more effective service.

“The project’s output includes the delivery of a 24km-BRT system with segregated lanes, 30 bus stations, street lighting, pedestrian crossing facilities, bus depot, Intelligent Transport System (ITS) facilities and the purchase of 120 articulated 18-meter buses.

“The project will help set up sustainable operations of the BRT system through various engineering studies, the strengthening of KADSTRA and the transition of informal operators into the newly created bus industry.

“Through project implementation, KADSTRA will have the opportunity of sharing experiences with recognised and well-established transport regulatory agencies including Ile-de-France Mobilité in Paris and the Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority (LAMATA) in Lagos, whom AFD has been supporting since 2010.

“The KBRT Project will help shape the face of Kaduna into an attractive modern and dynamic city that will attract investors both local and foreign to the state,” according to the statement.