Plate 4.3 Existing and predicted modal split in Lagos megacity

The impact of the BRT system is diverse. It has reduced the major challenges of mobility in Lagos megacity, most especially in the corridor and the catchment areas. As of January 2010, it had moved more than 114 million passengers and brought a lot of discipline and order in public transportation, promoting the queue culture as well as order at bus shelters. It offers commuters affordable, safe, efficient, and reliable public transportation and provides employment to more than 2,000 people, (Lagos State Government 2009a). The BRT has reduced carbon dioxide emission by about 13 percent and greenhouse gases by about 20 percent. Six percent of car owners along the corridor have opted to use the BRT because of its affordability, reliability, timeliness, and safety. The journey time to the workplace has drastically reduced by 55 minutes as claimed by a commuter on the BRT; it has also reduced household income spent on transportation. Today, the BRT is a key factor in the solution to the transportation problems of Lagos megacity. Plans are already on to extend services to other parts of the city. Figure 4.1 shows the BRT system projection for 2009–20 and highway improvements for the same period while plate 4.4 shows the other proposed Lekki–Epe Express Road expansion and the Lagos–Badagry 10-lane expressway project. Work has started on both proposals.

Fig 4.1 The Bus Rapid Transport Network and Proposed Highway Improvements

The LAMATA Act recognises the need to engage civil society in validating major infrastructure investment and policy changes (Mobereola 2006). This calls for active involvement of all stakeholders through information, consultation, and participation in various consultative, interactive, and participatory fora. The identified stakeholders include the government, development partners, mass media professionals and institutions, civil society, transport associations, the police, the organised private sector, the general public, and the United Nations (UN)/donor/bilateral agencies. This community engagement and participatory strategy encourages the citizens of Lagos to lay claim to the ownership of BRT and the success of the system.

Lagos state government has planned to provide the Lagos urban rail network, which is expected to have seven rail lines covering a total of 264 km. Two of the rail lines, the Blue and Red Lines are being developed as a matter of priority. The design of the two rail lines has been completed, bidding has been done, and the contract has been awarded (Lagos State Government 2009b). The Blue Line runs from Okokomaiko in Ojo to Lagos Island West, covering a distance of about 27 km. It is projected to have an annual passenger demand of 200 million. The Red Line, on the other hand, runs from Agbado in Lagos North to the Marina with a connection to the Muritala Mohammed International Airport Ikeja, covering a total distance of 24 km (figure 4.2). It also has a projected annual passenger demand of 200 million. Construction work on the rail lines has begun. When completed, the rail line services will further diversify and ease Lagos city traffic and at the same time provide employment most especially for the youth.