Lagos being one of the largest economies in Africa and conscious of it’s responsibility as a mega city catering for millions of commuters who live and work in the city designed a dynamic and systemic intermodal transportation model that is innovative, safe and affordable with standards and quality being at par with the best across the world.
Privileged and humbled to serve as Senior Special Assistant To The Governor Of Lagos State On Transportation that in it’s first term, the Babajide Sanwoolu administration heralded the expansion of the Bus Rapid Transit ( BRT) system through the opening of new routes with it’s innovative e-ticketing for fares and boarding processes, faster travel time unhindered by traffic congestion while commuters are also assured of relative safety and affordability.
Water transportation was effectively deployed by taking advantage of the aquatic splendor surrounding the coastal city through it’s flagship LAGFERRY that was also expanded with newly constructed jetties and ferries provided to ease movement for residents in communities around Ikorodu, Mile 2 other marine environs to create alternative means of transportation and also reduce the gridlocks and travel time for commuters.
Now, it operates with 21 boats, with the acquisition of 8 new boats on 6 February 2020 and 7 new ones added on 22 June 2021. As of 30 June and 7 September 2020, LAGFERRY had ferried 60,000 and 100,000 passengers respectively.This was bettered in 2022, with 500,000 passengers ferried within 2 years, successful movement of 41,040 trucks from Mile 2 Terminal between January and December 2020.
Presently, the construction of jetties are ongoing, with lots nearing completion. These include Apa, Badagry, VIP Chalet, Badagry, Isalu, Ajido, Badagry, Ilado Amuwo-Odofin, Ilashe, Amuwo-Odofin, Ito Omu-Epe, Offin, Ikorodu, Takwa Bay Eti-Osa, Ijede Waterfront, Marina Waterfront, Oke-Ira Nla, Ebute Ero, Lagos Island, Mile 2 and Ijebu-Egba, Amuwo-Odofin
Much can also be said of LagRide, a cheaper yet cleaner car e-hailing service that has changed the face of transportation in the state, with 1000 units of SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles) launched. The system hasn’t just created immediate jobs to the cab driver/owner model that has engaged and empowered them economically, it has also provided a cheaper, safer and more convenient car e- hailing service that is world class and contributing to improving commuter experience in the city as many people especially those that are always actively mobile now choose the LagRide as the preferred e-hailing service of choice amongst others.
The administration also acquired a 10-car intra-city metropolitan speed trains for the 37km red line project to be launched soon while it commissioned the Lagos Blue Rail Line spanning from Marina to Mile 12 which is the first of it’s type in West Africa as part of it’s Rail Mass Transit System.
It is expected that the first phase of the Blue Rail Line will transport 250,000 passengers daily and when completed, the entire 27km will transport about half a million passengers daily which would contribute to improving socioeconomic activities in that axis with positive effects on real estate, small and medium scale businesses, tourism and hospitality sectors in those communities.
These intermodal transportation network of Buses, Rail and Ferry are interconnected in various ways to serve the people of Lagos while a single e- ticketing and payment platform – cowry card , could be used to pay for fares across all these means of transportation to simplify payment and boarding process for ease of commuters.
The administration also reconfigured 6 junctions/roundabouts (Allen, Ikotun, Lekki Phases I & II and Ajah), employment of 1300 LASTMA officials to manage and monitor traffic, installation of traffic lights and CCTV cameras in strategic places across the state, construction of 14 new BRT stations, launch of 500 units of First and Last Mile (FLM) buses to provide an alterative means of transportation to the threats posed by the banned commercial motorcycles in the state, acquisition of 560 high-medium capacity buses for standard routes, landmark achievement of over 20 million passenger ridership as of March 2022 and creation of 700 jobs via LSBL operations have all made up the landmark achievements in the transport sector.
Governor Babajide Sanwoolu has promised his commitment to investing more in the transportation sector as we continue to witness more innovations such as the recently launched electricity buses and other world class infrastructure and facilities that would be provided to ease movement of people and create better commuter experience for Lagosians as the hardworking Governor continues to provide quality governance in his bid to achieve the masterplan for a #GreaterLagos in his second term.
– Toyin Aremu, Former Senior Special Assistant To The Governor Of Lagos State On Transportation.
