Lagos govt opens 22km Mile12-Ikorodu BRT extension

History was made last weekend when the 22 kilometer Mile 12 to Ikorodu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) was formally flagged-off last weekend by Akinwumi Ambode, the governor of Lagos State upon a successful project completion.

During his opening remarks inside the BRT bus depot at Majidun, the governor stated that the commissioning of the Mile 12-Ikorodu BRT extension and formal flag off of the bus operation is a milestone in public transportation system in Lagos State.

“It is a celebration of the delivery of world class transport infrastructure that will bring comfort and convenience to commuters in our State particularly to residents of Ikorodu and those who use this road to connect other parts of the state and beyond.” He noted.

The BRT system was initiated as part of the strategies to modernise the public transport system just like in other major cities around the world. It is intended to provide efficient service that will encourage patronage by the middle class thereby reducing the number of private vehicles on Lagos roads.

According to the state chief executive, the BRT system has to a large extent lived up to that expectation following its launch in March 2008 along the Mile 12 to CMS corridor. Since inception, the 22km BRT corridor has moved over 250 million passengers in the last seven years.

He noted that the extension being commissioned is an improvement on the shortcomings noticed on the Mile 12 to CMS corridor. This upgraded system, known as the BRT classic with the BRT lanes running in the median is designed to provide better service to commuters.

Akinbode reiterated his administration’s commitment to effectively address the issue of traffic congestion and ensuring significant improvement in public transportation in the state.

In his words, “This government is committed to improving on the road transport network, the water transportation system; the public transport infrastructure and most importantly attract the needed investment to fund our Strategic Transport Master Plan (STMP), which is already being implemented.

The strategic transport master plan is a 30-year plan that will deliver a truly world class integrated public transport system with six rail lines; one mono-rail, 14 BRT corridors, three cable car corridors and 26 developed water routes.

As part of this vision, Lagos State is working towards commencing operation of the first phase of the blue line rail project in the next 12 months so that Lagosians will start to feel the benefits of a world-class rail system.

The governor commended the operators of the Mile 12 to Ikorodu BRT extension for believing in Lagos State and investing in the acquisition of about 434 buses for this operation and Sterling Bank plc for the financial support provided to the operator and this operation. He urged other financial institutions to take a cue and support our partners.

He also thanked other stakeholders involved in the project including World Bank, French Development Agency and the Environment Facility (GEF) for their technical and financial support which contributed immensely to making the project a reality.

The governor did end with expression of contentment without a caveat. He stated that government still have some way to go in building the transportation system Lagos state deserves.

“The challenges before us are daunting but we will not be discouraged. More than ever, we are committed to turn our challenges to opportunities and ride on them to create a future we will all be proud of.”

The launched BRT project was conceived by Bola Ahmed Tinubu, initiated and substantially implemented by and Babatunde Raji Fashola, the immediate past governors under the present democratic experiment of Nigeria.