PRESS RELEASE

Lagos BRT rolls off March 17

The first ever Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system will commence operations in Lagos, Nigeria, on March 17, 2008, Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola has announced. The system will run from Mile 12 through Ikorodu Road to CMS in central Lagos. The announcement was received with joy by an anxious 17 million Lagos residents who have been looking forward to the commencement of the system that promises to change their lifestyle, improve their economic well-being as well as family values, since parents will arrive home on time and have time for their children.

L-R: Managing Director, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, Director of Roads, Engr. Abiodun Fajobi and Director of Corporate Investment Planning, Mr. Olutayo Orekoya during the press conference to announce the commencement of BRT.

The BRT system was due for launch in the last quarter of 2007. However it was postponed due to a civil work being carried out along the corridor by a gas company.

“With the start of BRT lite operations, transport in Lagos especially along the corridor will cease to be a nightmare. Our promise is to restore the dignity of Lagosians through improved transport planning and infrastructural provision” Dr. Mobereola said.

The BRT buses will operate both express and regular services between 6 am and 10 pm daily.

Shadow runs of the BRT Lite, scheduled to begin on February 28, 2008 will see the buses run around the entire corridor, while trial runs which is expected to simulate the real process of picking and dropping of passengers will follow afterwards and terminate on March 16, 2008. 

He described the Lagos BRT system as a “state-of-the-art infrastructure complete with 26 world-class bus shelters, two terminals and a bus depot, which is fitted with fuel dispensing facilities, mechanical workshop, generators and most importantly maintenance personnel to provide needed and necessary support.”

Dr. Mobereola said the BRT would guarantee shorter journey times for commuters and this would translate massively into an improved lifestyle for Lagosians. “The delivery of comfort, safety, reliability and affordability in public transport is here now,” he said.

He said a “BRT Regulations” which will become effective from March 10, 2008 would guide the BRT operations.

“By this time, compliance is expected from the public, as infringement will attract the full weight of the Law. Only BRT lite buses are expected to use the segregated lanes, while Danfos and Molues plying the Ikorodu road to CMS through Funsho Williams avenue are to restrict their use of the corridor to the service lanes.

“LAMATA has invested in repairs of the service lanes to make them motorable again. There will also be zero tolerance on street trading along the corridor. Driving or propelling, whether mechanically or otherwise, of articulated vehicles, heavy-duty vehicles, lorries, trailers and tankers on the BRT Lite Corridor is will be restricted to the hours between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. and between 11 p.m. and 5a.m.

“Loading and un-loading of goods shall be restricted to the service lanes of the BRT Lite corridor strictly between 11 a.m. and 4p.m. and between 11p.m. and 5a.m,” he added.

Dr. Mobereola appealed to motorists and commuters to obey the BRT regulations and ensure that both the shadow and trials runs were not impeded in any way.

Kolawole Ojelabi
External Relations Specialist
Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority
234-1-790-5343, 0803-855-6452 or 2702778-82 Ext. 120
kojelabi@lamata-ng.com