RT Transported Over 51 Million Passengers In Blue Rail Line – Osiyemi

The Commissioner for Transportation, Lagos State, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, on Tuesday 23, April, at the Bagauda Kaltho press center in Alausa gave an account of his Ministry’s performance in the first year of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in Office and his THEMES+ development agenda.

Traffic Management and Transportation according to the commissioner is the first pillar in the THEMES+ developmental agenda of Governor Sanwo-Olu, warranting the high level of attention, strategic initiatives, steadfast commitment to establishing an efficient, safe, reliable, and sustainable transportation network, as well as the proficient management and control of traffic flow.

Mr. Osiyemi gave the following as an account of his stewardship in the last year in the Ministry of Transportation;

Bus Transport Operations – LBSL

The Lagos Bus Service Limited, (LBSL) was established to provide a modern, safe, secure, convenient and reliable bus transportation system that integrates with other modes of public transport within the state and it has progressively delivered its mandate by transporting over 51 million passengers since its commencement of operations in May.

In addition to the existing LBSL Buses, additional buses were added by this administration to increase the size of the fleet (High-Capacity and Medium Capacity Buses) bringing the fleet size to a total of 335 buses.

Buses are cheaper and more affordable than other modes of public transportation.

In the year 2022, the initial 5 routes covered by the buses were expanded to 25 across the state for accessibility to more riders, securing jobs for over 1,800 Lagosians and has also provided 2,866 job opportunities for drivers who have graduated from its accredited training academy.

First and Last Mile Bus Scheme

The First and Last Mile Bus scheme, aimed at enhancing passenger connectivity and accessibility to BRT and Standard routes which was launched across the 8 BRI Zones in May 2021 is still in operation servicing the inner street passengers.

260 buses were handed over for operation in May 2021

Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Project – Blue and Red Lines

As part of measures to ease congestion on Lagos roads, the Lagos State Government commissioned the first phase of the 27km Blue Line Rail system.

The first phase of the Blue Line rail (Mile 2 to Marina) has been fully completed and over 1 million passengers have been transported.

Contract has been awarded and work has commenced on the second phase of the project which is expected to traverse (Mile 2 to Okokomaiko).

The 1st Phase of the Red Line has been completed presently going through testing in readiness for Commercial Operation.

The Line will run from Agbado to Oyingbo sharing the NRC tracks of the Lagos Ibadan NRC track. It is estimated to carry 500,000 passengers per day.

The Lagos Ferry Services (LAGFERRY)

The Lagos Ferry Services, (LAGFERRY) is currently running public water transportation in 24 routes from 16 terminals/jetties through its 17 commercial boats and has transported over 2 million passengers from inception to date.

The agency has become a standard for other boat operators to emulate with world-class water transportation that offers safe, fast, and reliable modes and improved technologies for excellent customer experience.

Towards Promoting tourism and increase in ridership, the agency created some awareness windows to make water transportation more attractive option for commuters and optimize the blue economic potentials of Lagos state through these laudable events;

e-hailing Activities

To create a database of courier and logistics operators, and ensure the safety and security of lives and property in the state in line with global standards, a Digitalization/Automation of the issuance of permits for the registration of courier and dispatch operators in the State is in progress.

In managing the activities of the e-hailing operation within the state, the Data Sharing Agreement (DSA) /Application Program Interface initiative was introduced to capture the real-time data from the e-hailing operators for safety, security, prompt emergency response, and auditing purposes.

Directorate of Public Transport and Commuter Services (PTCS)

The Directorate of Public Transport and Commuter Services (PTCS) is charged with the responsibility of ensuring coordination of Public Transportation, have since Y2023 introduced the Digitalisation of Payments for Stage Carriage, Vehicle Body Tag, Drivers Badge, Conductors Badge easy monitoring and tracking of activities of operators of the yellow buses.

Implementation of API for e-hailing trip monitoring has also helped the security frameworks for e-hailing operators; tracking of trip pick-up and destination details.

Traffic Management

The administration adopted a proactive approach centered on the identification and remediation of traffic-prone junctions. A key component of this approach is the implementation of the Traffic Management Intervention Plan (TMIP), aimed at optimizing the utilization of carriageways, pedestrian walkways, parks, and garages.

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The government had identified 60 Junctions/Corridors in 2019 for remediation under the Traffic Management Intervention Plan (TMIP) to enforce the proper use of carriageways, pedestrian walkways, parks, and garages, and the intervention status standing at 49 completed, while the remaining 11 are ongoing with other newly identified which are at different levels of completion.

The Ikeja underpass by Computer Village has been completed and is operational, while the ongoing junction improvement works in Ikorodu Roundabout are nearing completion at 80%

LASTMA

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) is charged with the responsibility of ensuring hitch-free traffic flow on Lagos roads, through proper traffic management, enforcement, and implementation of traffic laws.

The Agency embarked on the continuous removal of trailers and tankers on the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, Apapa Tincan, Ijora, Iganmu, and its environs. This has reduced the travel time of Motorists tremendously on these corridors.

Road Safety and Management – VIS

In ensuring only roadworthy vehicles ply Lagos roads for Sanity, Standard, Safety, and Security of lives & property, the State Government enforced its ‘No Vehicle Inspection, No Roadworthiness Certificate’ policy which commenced in January 2022 to clamp down on rickety vehicles and improve safety of road users across the metropolis.

The Initiative has reduced vehicle breakdowns and road crashes across the State drastically. It has also improved the Safety of lives and compliance with the Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018.

With its 42 Zonal Offices established at different locations within the State , the VIS recorded the following feat during the coverage of this report;

Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA)

To maintain a robust motor vehicle database and improve security on Lagos roads, the Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA) has lived up to its core functions and values.

Through its activities at over 140 Annex Offices and 5 One Stop Centres with the 6th ongoing at Ojo, which is presently at 60% completion, the Agency has issued 10, 964, 23 driver’s licenses and 101, 457 riders’ cards between the years 2020 and 2024.

Lagos State Drivers Institute LASDRI

The Lagos State Drivers Institute, (LASDRI) has maintained its training brand and capacity building for drivers.

The Institute operates through its once-a-year Mandatory training for professional drivers), and the Rehabilitation Training Programme (for drivers that contravene the traffic rules and regulations) has improved safety on our roads.

Representing a significant increase in drivers’ training, which has had a positive impact on the driving culture in Lagos, the average number of drivers trained per year from 2019 to 2022 is 53,386.

However, from January 2023 to April 8, 2024, the average number of trained drivers per year is 63,344.

Overall, there has been an 8.5% increase in the number of drivers trained during the first year of the second term of the present administration.

Lagos Parking Authority, (LASPA)

The Lagos Parking Authority, (LASPA) was established to effectively regulate all forms of illegal parking which impedes on free flow of traffic and thus deliver a world class parking, the Lagos Parking Authority, (LASPA) has establish Area Offices to facilitate wider coverage across board, anchoring its strategies on areas engage in more parking activities.

Optimizing the On and off-street parking supplies, Setback options, coordination of existing private park operators, and maximizing urban public spaces towards lasting solutions to parking-induced traffic.

A total of 1,574 parking slots have been lane-marked and provided as parking solutions to ease traffic congestion across traffic-prone areas in the state.

To best manage its operations, the Authority has employed the use of innovative technology to create parking solutions along various streets/locations within the metropolis through the deployment of an Online App designed to create a world-class parking system for residents.

Lagos State Metropolitan Area Transport Authority -LAMATA

Established for planning, implementing, franchising, and regulating an integrated multi-modal transport system in Lagos State, the Lagos State Metropolitan Area Transport Authority,(LAMATA) has lived up to Its responsibility including the development of the State Strategic Transport Master Plan.

The Plan includes the reform of the bus sector including 14 BRT routes, the development of the rail network consisting of 6 Rail lines and 1 monorail, Terminals and Interchanges, and the creation of the environment for the private sector to participate in the development of the transport infrastructure and service provision.

Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA)

On the 12th of January 2023, at the Commando Jetty Badagry Lagos, the Agency carried out a waterways cleanup campaign program to sensitize Boat Operators, passengers, and the general public on waterways pollution and the need to properly dispose of their waste to protect the waterways and the environment.

On 24th of January 2023, LASWA embarked on a weeklong Water Safety Training and Swimming Lessons for school children in Riverine Public Schools in Epe Division to reduce water phobia among school children in Lagos State.

Source: Independent.ng

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