Lagos BRT

– A first for Africa

Robin Kaenzig
Integrated Transport Planning Ltd
 Background to Transport in Lagos
ƒ Population of around 17 million people, forecast
to grow to 25 million by 2025
ƒ Unplanned transport
system
ƒ Significant congestion
ƒ Public transport typically:
ƒ Unsafe
ƒ Driver indiscipline
ƒ Large Fleet of small privately owned buses – Danfo
ƒ Poorly maintained, unsafe buses
ƒ Run to serve interests of bus owners/operators not
travellers
Existing Transport System
Traveller needs

ƒ Safety is primary consideration

ƒ Basic level of comfort
ƒ Reliable, affordable fares
ƒ Reduced journey times
What BRT could look like
BRT Concept
BRT-Lite
what has been achieved?
ƒ African’s first BRT opened in March
2008
ƒ 22km majority segregated route
(400mm kerb, road markings) –
bilateral configuration
ƒ 3 terminals, 26 stops, depot
ƒ $1.7m per km compared to $6m+ per
km for the well known premium BRT
systems
ƒ 220 high capacity buses operated by
private sector (union Co-op)
 Why BRT-Lite?
ƒ ‘Reduced’ version of full BRT system design
ƒ To be implemented within short timeframe and budget
ƒ To sell the BRT concept to Lagosians and show what
can be achieved
ƒ Focus on delivery of achievable segregation
ƒ To meet user needs
 Changes in Travel Conditions

• Journey times
reduced by average
25 mins
• Fares 10% - 50%
lower.
• Beautification
programme along
corridor
• Lighting at stops
• Organised station
environment with
covered stops
How was this achieved?

ƒ Creation of strategic transport authority –

LAMATA
ƒ Early engagement of transport unions and
study visit - Creation of BRT Co-op
ƒ Commissioner for Transport approval
ƒ Public sector infrastructure provision and
maintenance
ƒ Private sector finance – ECO Bank
 How was this achieved - 2
ƒ Public enlightenment campaign
ƒ Televised BRT Parliament debating
performance/issues
ƒ BRT TV weekly program with interviews/opinions
ƒ Customer relations line 24/7
ƒ BRT/LAMATA branding, caps, shirts, bags
ƒ Training ‘pilots’ & operatives
 Scheme Success – User opinion

80%

60%

40%

20% strongly agree

agree
not sure
0% disagree
strongly disagree

ƒ BRT is ........ than my previous mode of transport

 Scheme Success – modal share

ƒ BRT carries 25% of all trips along corridor whilst

accounting for just 4% of vehicles
ƒ 10% of all trips to Lagos Island are carried by
BRT
ƒ Better conditions for other road users due to
regulation of other PT vehicles into service
lanes
ƒ Main suggestion for improvement is more BRT
buses and roll-out of BRT on more routes
(requested by over 50% of non-users surveyed!)
What Next?

• Two new lines

Ikorodu
• Integration with
Mile 12
planned
Oshodi
water/rail
systems
• Upgrading of
existing route

Mile 2 Lagos Island

Questions?