In a major step towards improving public transportation in Lagos, the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has officially launched the implementation of the Quality Bus Corridor (QBC) project. The initiative, aimed at enhancing urban mobility, will integrate key communities with the existing Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network while facilitating a more efficient and accessible transit system.
The QBC project, funded by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) in partnership with the Lagos State Government, is structured into three major phases. These phases will focus on key routes that will serve as vital links for thousands of daily commuters.
The initial implementation of the QBC project will cover three major corridors:
- QBC 1a (Yaba–Lawanson–Ijesha–Cele): Spanning 8.7km, this route will enhance connectivity across densely populated areas.
- QBC 1b (Ketu–Alapere–Akanimodo): Covering 4.7km, this stretch will improve intra-city transit between residential and commercial hubs.
- QBC 2 (Abule Egba–Iju Ishaga): With a length of 8.76km, this route will strengthen transport links in Lagos’ outskirts.
- QBC 3 (Iyana-Iba–Igando): The longest of the initial corridors at 13km, this route will improve transportation in the Alimosho axis, one of the most densely populated areas in Lagos.
A total of 91 bus stops along these corridors will be upgraded, while several new transport terminals and laybys will be constructed to improve commuter experience.
To further boost efficiency, the QBC project will deliver new transport terminals at strategic locations:
- QBC 1: New terminals will be established at Cele, Lawanson, Ojuelegba, and Alapere, while existing BRT terminals at Ketu and Mile 12 will be upgraded.
- QBC 2: A new integrated terminal will be built to connect the Iju rail station and the new Yamaha depot, creating a multimodal transport hub.
- QBC 3: A new terminal at Iyana-Iba and an upgrade to the Ikotun terminal will enhance accessibility in the region.
During the project’s kick-off meeting, Engr. Adeyemi Adeniji, Technical Adviser for Roads and Infrastructure at LAMATA, assured stakeholders that funding for the initiative is secured. He urged contractors to adhere strictly to contractual agreements, emphasizing that the project must be completed within 12 months, with an additional three-month buffer period to address any unforeseen delays.
Advancing a Sustainable Transport Future
The QBC project is a significant component of LAMATA’s broader vision to develop an integrated, efficient, and sustainable public transportation system for Lagos. By enhancing last-mile connectivity to the BRT network, the project is expected to reduce travel time, ease congestion, and improve commuter experience in Africa’s most populous city.
With the implementation of the QBC project now in motion, Lagosians can look forward to a more organized and accessible urban transit system that aligns with the state’s vision of a smart and sustainable megacity.
