Light rail project in Lagos: Blue
line achievement, business model and
mobility impact
A Presentation at the
3rd Congress and Exhibition of African Public Transport
Session 6:RAIL TRANSPORT AND URBAN MOBILITY
Presented by: Dr Dayo Mobereola
MD/CEO, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA )
Perceptions on Transport (1)
The problem of Africa can be summed up in one word
TRANSPORT .
(Lord Luggard )
Perception of Transport (2)
While the great powers are trying to get to the moon,
we are trying to get to the village ...
While the great powers have been to the moon and
back and are now even communicating with the stars
...
We are still trying to reach the village and the village is
getting even more remote ..
Hon. Julius Nyerere
Overview of Presentation
o Introduction
o Transport Challenges in Lagos
o Blue Line Project
o The Blue Line Implementation
Strategy
o Blue line achievement
o Mobility impact
o Conclusions
Lagos The Mega City
Most populous city in Africa - 20 million inhabitants
Lagos State is bigger in population than 23 countries in Africa
Benin Rep, Mali, Botswana etc.
Hub of nations economic, commercial and industrial activities.
Contribute 25% of Nigerias GDP
Larger economy than Ivory coast, Ghana, Madagascar etc.
45% of nations skilled manpower reside in the city.
Transport Challenges in Lagos State
Pattern of urban growth
with the less privileged
often commuting long
distances
Severe congestion impacting social and
economic activities
Key Concerns
Inadequate regulatory public
transport framework with
the poor often vulnerable to
high cost of transportation
6
The poor are
the worst
affected!!!
Increasing air pollution
impacting health and
quality of life
Observed travel demand patterns in
Metropolitan Lagos in 2013
The demand for trips in the
Lagos megacity region by all
modes (including walking) was
~22million per day.
Walk trips accounted for 40%
of total trips in Metropolitan
Lagos.
Observed mode share of motorized trips
in 2013
2% 2%
2%
2% 1%
Unregulated
buses
Cars
19%
72%
The rapid increase in
population and standard of
living will bring the daily
demand for trips to ~40M/day
by 2032.
Regulated
buses
BRT
Motorcycles
Water
Rail
Source: LAMATA Strategic Transport Master Plan
7
Strategic Transport Master Plan (STMP)
In response to the enormous Transport Challenges in Lagos state, the Strategic
Transport Master Plan (STMP) was developed to address these issues.
Light Rail Mass Transit Plan for Lagos
LAMATA has proposed a light rail network for
Lagos State in its 20 years Strategic Transport
Master Plan
It comprises of six light rail and one monorail mass
transit corridors.
The development of the rail routes will be carried
out in phases and stages over a period of two
decades.
LAMATA commenced the development of the first
line (Blue rail Line) in August 2010
Proposed Lagos Rail Network
10
The Blue Rail Line Project
Okokomaiko Marina, 27km
11 Rail Stations planned for the Blue line
11
Objectives of the Blue Line Rail Project
Regenerate the Okokomaiko and Mile 2 area with
the attraction of Transit Oriented Development
(TOD)
Provide better integration with public transport
allowing passengers to transfer between the Blue
Line and a number of bus routes as well as water
mode of transport
Improve public transport access and connections
along the blue line corridor and the main Central
Business District (CBD)
Key Features of the Blue Line
The Blue Line will run 27km from Okokomaiko to Marina,
one of the most densely travelled corridors in Lagos.
The rail infrastructure is being developed in conjunction
with the Badagry Expressway project, a proposed toll road
running from Lagos to Badagry.
The Blue line runs at-grade in the middle of Lagos Badagry
Expressway (LBE) from Okokomaiko to Iganmu (19.6km)
and elevated from Iganmu to Marina (7.4km) thereby
crossing major and minor roads, marshland and water areas
Key features of the Blue Line Contd
Operation centre, maintenance depot and stabling of
trains is situated at Okokomaiko
The Blue line will be serviced by 16 4-car EMU trains
Total passenger/day is 450,000 on average at inception
Maximum headway during peak operations is 5 minutes
Total journey time spent on the Blue line from Okokomaiko
to Marina will be 37 minutes
Construction Phase of the Blue Line Rail Project
The blue line is being constructed in three phases
The first phase from Mile 2 to National Theatre is
7.5 km long and is 95% complete
The second Phase from National Theatre to Marina
which is 5 km and crossing the Lagoon has started
and is expected to be completed in September 2015
The third and final phase of the project from
Okokomaiko to Mile 2 will begin after the
completion of the Lagos-Badagry road expansion
project
Blue Line Construction Phasing
Phase 3
National Theatre
Okokomaiko
Volkswagen
LASU
Alaba
Alakija
Trade
Fair
Iganmu Ijora
Festac
Mile 2
Phase 1: Mile 2 National Theatre (4 stations)
Phase 2: National Theatre Marina (1 station)
Phase 3: Okokomaiko Mile 2 (6 stations)
Marina
Blue Line Operations Phasing
National Theatre
Okokomaiko
Alaba
Volkswagen
LASU
Alakija
Trade
Fair
Iganmu
Festac
Ijora
Mile 2
Phase 2
Marina
Phase 1: Passenger service between Mile 2 Marina
(12.5km route), 5 stations
Phase 2: Passenger service on the full line from
Okokomaiko - Marina (27km route), 11 stations
Project Implementation
LSG
Funding
Concessionaire
Funding
Concessionaires Responsibilities
Procurement of rolling stock
Procurement of signaling and communication
equipment
Recruitment and training of train drivers
Operations of the Blue Line
Maintenance of the infrastructure and rolling stock
Lagos State Responsibilities
Provide funding for infrastructures such as the Rail
Track and Bridges
Ensure Right of Way (ROW) is secured for the
contractor
Business Case for the Blue Line
INDICATORS
Operating Saving Benefit, NPV (M US$)
Time Saving Benefit, NPV (M US$)
Car accidents, NPV (M US$)
VALUE
204.72
2,068.40
19.82
Investment Cost (M US$)
1,037.58
Total present value, NPV (M US$)
2,292.94
Benefit-Cost Ratio
2.21
Total Passengers (2016) Daily
450,000
Total Passengers (2030) Daily
850,000
This represent good value for money
Achievements so far
Blue Line Achievement
Infrastructure
Creation of
Jobs
Operations
Blue line
achievement
New
development
Financial
Technical
Regulatory
Blue Line Achievements (1)
Infrastructure
Operation
Construction of 4 stations (Mile 2, Alaba,
Iganmu and National Theatre) nearing
completion
Installation of rail track
Construction of rail bridges
Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) specification
agreed
Discussion with preferred Concessionaire
Standards for LRMT set e.g. train specification
and gauge
Blue Line Achievements (2)
Financial
Regulatory
Project support through BOND scheme on a
major infrastructural project
Use of Public Private Partnership (PPP) model
Adequate and timely payments to the
contractor
Strict compliance with best rail engineering
construction process
Defined role between the government and
concessionaire in the operations of the mass
transit.
Blue Line Achievements (3)
Technical
New
Development
Creation of
Jobs
Technical and knowledge transfer to Nigerians and
capacity building
The Blue line project has facilitated the Badagry
Master Plan development and Implementation
Implementation of Lagos Island Master Plan is
being developed in relation with Blue line
The Blue line project has generated over 2000
(Direct and Indirect) jobs
Blue Line Achievements in Pictures
Creation
of Jobs
Front Elevation View of Alaba Station
28
Present View of Iganmu Station
Progress on the Rail Project
30
National Theatre Station
Station Platform Area
Finished Station Concourse
Mobility Impact
Mobility Impact
Reduction of Fares
Reduction of Travel
time
Reduction in Waiting
time
Job Generation
Reduction in air
pollution
Mobility Impact
Economic Impact
Reduction in travel time from over 2 hours to 37 mins
Reduction in cost from $3 to a dollar
Reduction in waiting time from over 30 mins to 5 mins
Social Impact
Generation of over 2000 employment (Direct and Indirect)
Improved accessibility to the central business district
Environmental Impact
Reduction in air pollution along the corridor by 25%
Conclusions
o The Blue Line is one of the 6 rail lines identified in the master plan
to alleviate transport problems in Lagos state
o The rail line will open up Badagry corridor thereby improving access
to more jobs and economic activities
o The Blue Line will generate huge economic benefits which
represent good value for money to the public.
Thank You
