(Special Report) Why Lagos Blue Line can’t move up to 250,000 passengers monthly
Fact checks on the claims of the Lagos State Government that the Blue Line recently commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari will commute over 250,000 passengers monthly may not stand the test of time.
Reason; there is no provision for car owners wishing to board the train to park their cars either at Mile 2, or Marina.
Transport experts say what would have encouraged many to board the train at Mile would have been the provision of a car park so that car owners can park and ride as it is done in developed nations where such massive infrastructure is built. They said intra-city train development always come with mega car parks to service the scheme seamlessly.
According to the statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Gboyega Akosile, the rail infrastructure constructed by the Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority, will transport 250,000 passengers daily and the ongoing construction on the Red Line, which extends 37km from Agbado to Ebute Metta, will be completed before the end of May.
In his address at the event, Sanwo-Olu said, “Mr President, this line that you are about to commission and take a ride in, is 13km long, and the first phase of a 27km line.
“This Phase one runs from Marina to Mile 2, across five stations: Marina, National Theatre, Iganmu, Alaba, and Orile, and is expected to cover that distance in less than 15 minutes, compared with the rush-hour time of 2.5 hours if undertaken by road.
“The benefits are obvious, and unquantifiable: a more efficient transport service that improves the quality of life of Lagosians frees up more of their time, reduces the pressure on the roads, and contributes to Nigeria’s lofty climate action obligations. “This iconic Marina station that is hosting us today will be the largest and busiest train hub in Africa, with a capacity to process as many as 400 passengers per minute, translating into 24,000 passengers every hour.
“When phase one starts running fully, we envisage that it will transport a quarter of a million Lagosians daily, rising to half a million daily when the entire corridor is completed.”
The President also rode on the electric-powered train as it made a round trip between the Marina station and National Theatre.
Also speaking at the event, Hamzat noted that the Strategic Transport Master Plan has six rail lines and one monorail, 14 Bus Rapid Transit corridors, over 20 water routes and a number of major roads.
