The Lagos State Government has revamped its Strategic Transport Master Plan in a bid to bolster economic growth and development in line with the smart city goal of the present administration.
The Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, who disclosed this in his keynote address at the 2nd Edition of the Lagos Transport Fest 2020, stated that revamping the plan was required to address the current transportation challenges by identifying facilities and services necessary to manage the dynamics of Lagos as a Smart City.
According to him, “Transportation plays a crucial role in urban development by providing access to education, markets, employment, recreation, healthcare and other key services, especially in cities of the developing world. Enhanced mobility for the poor and vulnerable groups is one of the most important preconditions for alleviating poverty. Those cities with transport modes in an integrated system are more likely to evolve and prosper as centres for trade, commerce, industry, education, tourism and services”. Oladeinde said.
He explained that the Master Plan will be anchored on strategic implementation of major reforms, which will include developing comprehensive mass transit systems that connect all the 28 activity centres in Lagos and the development of a water-based network with land-based Mass Transit systems.
Noting that the plan will optimise existing road networks to ensure compatibility with new modes coming on board as well as the deployment of an Intelligent Transport System to aid integration, Oladeinde stressed that the strategy would also include deploying integrated fare and ticketing system, information and communication system and coordinated service timetables.
The Commissioner highlighted the recommendations of the Master Plan to include six rail lines, one monorail line, 14 BRT routes, Over 20 water transport routes and the development of cycle lane network with pedestrian ways to improve the flow of movement in the metropolis.
He explained that the strategy will solve economic objectives by reducing mobility delays, improving journey time reliability for businesses as well as social and environmental objectives through a reduction in traffic congestion, and also prioritising those means of travel that are less damaging to the natural environment.
Dr. Oladeinde also assured that the State Government is committed to improving the lives of its citizenry and the Nation by ensuring productivity in the economic sector, which in turn will rank the city high among others on the global stage.
