Nigeria to Build First Light Rail System for West Africa | Voice of America - English
The Lagos state government in Nigeria has approved plans to build the first light rail system in West Africa. Plans call for seven double-track lines across the state but initial construction will be limited to two lines -- the Red and Blue.  The government plans to begin awarding construction contracts by the end of the year and will accept bids from both local and international investors.  Voice of America English to Africa Service reporter Jacqueline Ogoh in Lagos says traffic in Lagos is often a mess.  Workers face a daily challenge just getting to and from work.
With more than 13 million peopledriving some three million private cars and 75,000 commercial vehicles,the Nigerian port city needs to find a solution. Government officials say they haveone - a light rail system that can move 40,000 passengers an hour on twolines. "When you are talking of megacities, the mass transportation system has a back bone called rail masstransportation system," said Ayo Mobereola, the managingdirector of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority. "We must have a mass transportation system in Lagos. It'slong overdue. We have invited international consultants to give us preliminarydesigns and to give us feasibility study." Lagos has a strong economy, butgovernment officials say the state can double its gains if an efficient railtransport system is in place. The current rail system is poorlymaintained and cars are often overloaded, with passengers hanging dangerouslyby the door or sitting on top of the train. A quick survey of passengers hurryingto catch the first train of the day at 6 a.m. indicates strong public supportfor the government's plans. "From this old system they need animprovement. They need new engines," said one passenger. "This one takes more of the massesthan even the airplane," said another passenger. "So the government should look into it." "There's always traffic jam,traffic build-up along the roads," said one other passenger. "But when you ply the rail there's nothinglike traffic jam. You get to your place on time." The Lagos state government introduceda bus system in March, but there are not enough buses to move the state's hugepopulation. Long lines at bus terminals are the norm. Mobereola says the new light railsystem will take care of this problem, with both the Red and Blue Linescarrying passengers from the mainland to Lagos Island - the country's economichub. "The Island is where the economic activities of Lagosis at the moment. So everybody on the mainland goes to the Island in themorning for business, and in the evening they all descend this way to go home.So we know that that is where the problem is. Ordinarily, people should notwalk more than 500 meters to get to a very good transportation system. But weare also saying that this transportation system doesn't necessarily have tocarry you from point A to B. You can change in the middle. If you are going tosome other place, you can take a rail system, change to bus system or change towater system, to take you to your final destination.' Lagos state has not announced the total cost of the project,but officials say they will seek competitive, international bids to build thesystem, maintain tracks and provide coaches. The Red and Blue lines are expected to be begin operation by2011.