The mystery of Lagos trains

It goes without saying that traffic is the biggest deterrent for most of the people living in Lagos. While most of them would do anything to get a solution to the problem of traffic in Lagos, many seem to have given up and focus all their energies on managing with the situation they have found themselves in. it was the former group that was most glad when it was announced that the Lagos state administration was developing a metro line that would span the entire city and state delivering safe, fast and sustainable transport through to all the residents while cutting the stress and time spend on the road in the famous Lagos *go slow *gridlocks. However, many years after, it seems to many of the residents, especially the less optimistic latter group that the rail line promised may have actually been a pipe dream. This post examines the history behind the trains and the enigma surrounding their absence.

The Metro Line inception

The concept for the metro line which is a part of Lagos Rail Mass Transit network was developed in 2008 by the Fashola-led administration. Coming right off the delivered promises of BRT as a metro service for commuters in Lagos in the Lagos Urban Transportation Project, it was easy for the government to gain the support they needed to carry out the project. The actual construction started in July, 2010.

The Lagos Rail Mass Transit project is made up of phases. These phases were built around the construction and development of the two major lines which this rail would operate. The Blue Line which is the first to begin construction runs from Marina to Okokomaiko with 13 stations along the way while the Red Line is expected to run from Marina to Iddo in Lagos to Agbado in Ogun state, providing options for Lagos residents and commuters working or living in Lagos or Ogun state respectively. Other lines which would be operated by the Lagos Urban Rail Network (LURN) and managed by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) include the Green Line which would run from Marina to Lekki and the airport, the Yellow Line which would run from Otta to Iddo, the Purple Line which would run from Redeem to Ojo, the Orange Line which would run from Redeem to Marina and the Brown Line which would run from Mile 12 to Marina. However, the Blue Line and the Red Line are in the most advanced stages for immediate development according to the LAMATA website.

Objectives of the Lagos Urban Rail Network

The project aims to fulfill various objectives including stimulation of economic growth, the provision of jobs, reduction of traffic congestion and the promotion of the public transport use by improving the image of public transport. It also aims to shorten distance of travel, improve safety of commuting, increase efficiency of travel and productivity as well as reduce carbon emissions and increase quality of environmental conditions. The train network intends to use Electric Multiple Units (EMUs) to ensure that the emissions usually produced by diesel and coal locomotives are reduced and/or eliminated.

So why is it not working yet?

The contract to construct the Blue Line of the LURN was awarded to Chinese construction company, China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC). The contractor designed the project into two phases, initially intended to be concluded by 2011. However, due to a shortage of funds for the $1.4 billion project, construction work has slowed immensely. Over $1.2 billion expected to be footed by the Lagos state government is needed to complete the major phase of the Blue Line. However, while the money is still being sourced, officials of LAMATA have put in place the necessary logistics to ensure seamless operation once construction is completed and the network is operational. Stations operations, ticketing, maintenance, cleaning, information control along with timetables and schedules have been planned out taking into cognizance the other modes of transport in the Lagos Urban Transportation project (BRT, LRT, Ferry etc.) to ensure precision journey planning.

All hands remain on deck, while planning and modifications still occur to ensure that as soon as funding is delivered, the contractors can easily commence with their work and deliver excellence in transportation to the Lagos people, visitors and tourists.