WorldStage Newsonline-- [b]Lagos State Governor Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) has awarded contract for the extension of the ongoing construction of Blue line lite rail project from National Theatre to Marina.

The Managing Director, Lagos Metropolitan Transport Management Authority (LAMATA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, disclosed this Wednesday at a forum organized by members of the Lagos State Governor's Office Correspondents (LAGOCO) at the state secretariat, Ikeja as part of activities marking its 2013 Press Week.

Mobereola said the project being undertaken by LAMATA was awarded on Tuesday by the governor adding that it would help facilitate movement from Mile 2 to Marina.

He said though the project awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) is very expensive considering the terrain involved, he said on completion, it would help reduce traffic congestion and ease the burden of traffic witnessed daily on the route by residents.

The LAMATA boss who spoke on the topic, LAMATA at 10: Challenges, Successes and Prospects, assured residents of plans to evolve an ultra-modal mode of transportation that would be easily accessible by residents.

“Gradually, people of Lagos have been abandoning Danfo and Molue buses for BRT. We have been reducing waiting time at bus stops, the travel time within the metropolis and we equally reduced transport fare by 40 percent compared to the service being rendered by yellow buses. ”

He explained that the agency has developed a 20-year transportation developmental plan that covers bus, rail and ferry service including provision of good roads for BRT system to run well.

He said part of the plan was the introduction of electronic ticketing system as against the previous paper ticketing system.

Mobereola added that very soon, LAMATA will also introduce Lagos Connect Card that will make it easier for its holder to use in boarding BRT, Lite Rail and Ferry.[/b]

On maintenance of BRT buses, he said the agency is aware of the challenges adding that effort are on for training and retraining of operators to ensure that they serve the public better.

“It is something we have been worried about for some time now. It's been a challenge, no doubt but, we did not sit down and fold our arms on the issue.” He added that additional 50 buses will soon be introduced to replace those that are no more roadworthy.

“We've tried, but we have not solved all the problems and challenges confronting transportation in Lagos.

“However, we have developed a 20 year development programme. We believed that Lagos needs seven rail lines and we are in the process of starting the Red Line lite rail project that will run from Alagbado in Ogun State to Marina, Lagos.

“We also believed that Lagos still needs nine BRT routes and we are talking with the state government to ensure commercial centres are put in place on the Mainland to reduce the number of people travelling to Lagos Island on daily basis,” he said.

naptu2: Lagoon Bridge.

iterator25: The dude is getting 20th century locomotives.. what's there to celebrate

KIRIJI: show us the borehole your governor built

iterator25: I'm a lagosian dude, lagos does not need 20th century trains, that's my point.. and Why must you always tribalize issues

iterator25: The dude is getting 20th century locomotives.. what's there to celebrate

iterator25: I'm a lagosian dude, lagos does not need 20th century trains, that's my point.. and Why must you always tribalize issues

iterator25: The dude is getting 20th century locomotives.. what's there to celebrate

KIRIJI: what is tribal about the comment i made? And who told you the rail project consist of 20th century trains?

iterator25: I'm a lagosian dude, lagos does not need 20th century trains, that's my point.. and Why must you always tribalize issues

agbameta:


The fact that you are a lagosian doesn't excuse your ignorant and misguided post. Obviously, you know nothing about the trains, their capabilities and features. At least start by stating what features or capabilities in a new train that wasn't inserted into these trains during the retrofitting process or is it your ignorant understanding that they just picked up some old trains and shipped them to Lagos?

Educate yourselves sometimes before spewing rubbish...

agbameta:


The fact that you are a lagosian doesn't excuse your ignorant and misguided post. Obviously, you know nothing about the trains, their capabilities and features. At least start by stating what features or capabilities in a new train that wasn't inserted into these trains during the retrofitting process or is it your ignorant understanding that they just picked up some old trains and shipped them to Lagos?

Educate yourselves sometimes before spewing rubbish...

GEJTILL2019: ode lasan...omo ale jatijati

iterator25: enjoy

https://www.nairaland.com/668039/pictures-fashola-inspects-trains-facilities