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Sections News Editorial/Opinion Cover Choice Arts & Life Business Politics Sports   Subscription Form Click here       Daily Independent Online.         * Friday, August 13, 2004. Lagos shelves N4.76b light rail project By Lekan Sanni Correspondent, Lagos   Hope of an end to the chaotic transportation situation in Lagos through the introduction of a mass rail transit system has been dashed as the government’s proposed N4.76 billion ($350 million) light rail project has hit the rocks. Governor Bola Tinubu mooted the project in 1999 as a replacement for the botched metroline, which cost was said to be beyond what the state government can afford. Government’s initial projection was to use the existing corridor of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) from Alagbado to Iddo, with the pilot scheme running from Mile 2 to Okokomaiko. It was learnt that the expensive nature of the scheme and the timeframe required for it to come alive might have forced the government to soft-pedal on its implementation. One of the investors that showed interest in the project, LEMNA, which is an American company, dumped Lagos and is now handling the O’odua rail project that is to run from Lagos to Ibadan. The state has now turned its attention to the bus rapid transport (BRT) that is considered cheaper, less expensive to maintain, faster and carries the same number of passengers like the light rail. Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, said on Thursday that the state is still committed to a holistic and integrated mass transit that includes the rail system. He explained that about eight years is required for the actualisation of the light rail system, explaining that preparations, including study and evaluation would take not less than two years, and another five to six years for actual construction. Mobereola said the BRT has the capacity of 35,000 passengers per direction per hour, with each bus capable of carrying 260 passengers and arriving at two minutes interval of each other at bus terminals.       Copyright� 2002. All Rights Reserved Independent Newspapers Limited Block5, Plot 7D, Wempco Road, Ogba, P.M.B. 21777, Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria. www.independentng.com e-mail: [email protected]

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