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By Fidelis Ugbomeh
For millions of residents in Lagos, the daily struggle with gridlock is gradually giving way to faster, safer and more sustainable mobility through ongoing rail expansion connecting Mile 2 to Okokomaiko will address long standing gridlock associated with the City
This is coming as Federal government’s prooosed plan to link Ikeja railway terminus to airport by rail has been received eith vieled optimism.
Rail-airport connection
The minister of aviation and aerospace development Festus Keyamo had during the “Invest Lagos 3.0 Forum”, said that the extension will connect the existing red line terminus at Ikeja to general aviation terminal, Murtala Mohammed terminal 2 (MMA2) and the international terminal.
However, an aviation consultant simply known as Uncle Samuel said that the best thing that has happened during this administration is deliberate approach especially by the Lagos state government through Lagos Area Metropolitan Transport Authority (LAMATA) to actualise the concept of intermodal transport between Mile 2-Marina corridor.
He welcomed the announcement by the minister of aviation and aerospace development that Federal government mulls to connect the red line terminus at Ikeja to international and domestic airport, saying the project has been long overdue.
Samuel lamented that “how can a country have an airport with large number of passenger and goods traffic and rely on only the road mode to enter and exit the airport?”
He stated further that if the vision to link airport by rail can be actualised within a short span, it will go a long way to give passengers and importers/agents options of entry and exit in and out of Lagos airport and by extension reduce traffic gridlock associated with the airport environment.
Keyamo during the Lagos forum stated that the railway-airport connection project is being developed in collaboration between Lagos state and Fedeeal government so as to enhance connectivity between both modes.
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He promised that project is expected to commence after ongoing consultations with key aviation stakeholders including:bi-courtney aviation services limited.
The minister posited that to complement the rail connectivity project, the Federal government has earmarked US$500million for reconstruction and modernisation of the old terminal of Murtala Muhammed Airport.
Blue line phase 2.
Meanwhile ongoing extension of blue line reputed as Africa’s first intra-city rail line from Mile 2-Ikokomaiko has shown deliberate consistency to connect the state by rail connecting other modes at regular stopovers.
According to LAMATA, construction if Mile 2 – Okokomaiko rail extension remains on schedule with full passenger train operation expected to commence first quarter of next year.
An inspection tour, led by LAMATA, managing director, Abimnola Ajinajo alongside technical representatives agence francaise de developpment (AFD) recently inspected the project.
According to LAMATA include:track installation, power infrastructure deployment and construction of stations at festac town, volkswagen and Lagos state university.
The Mazamaza bridge has also been reconstructed to accommodate operational demands of the electric train.
Blue line records.
Already the existing 12 kilometres Mile 2 -Marina electric train corridor has recorded increase in frequency and passenger turnout since commencement of service in September 2023.
According to LAMATA, blue line has moved over 5 million commuters within the last one year adding that to meet rising demand frequency of train service has been increased from 57 trips at launch to 90 trips operating through Monday to Saturday.
The increased capacity has been supported with the arrival of 3 new train sets comprising 12 coaches.
