Lagos, Nigeria: In a groundbreaking move towards sustainable urban mobility, the Lagos State Government has unveiled plans to deploy over 1,000 electric buses (EBs) on its roads within the next 24 months.
This announcement was made by the Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Mrs Abimbola Akinajo, during a news conference marking the 20th anniversary of establishing the authority.
The initiative is a significant step by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration to prioritize the Transportation and Traffic Management pillar of the THEMES+ agenda.
Mrs Akinajo, an engineer by profession, emphasized the commitment to exploring alternative fuels for urban mobility to improve air quality and reduce the environmental impact of transportation in the bustling metropolis.
In collaboration with Oando Clean Energy Limited (OCEL), the government has made initial strides by deploying two electric vehicles (EVs) to test the feasibility of the concept.
As part of the pilot phase, the plan is to increase the number of electric buses to 50, with the ultimate goal of scaling up to a fleet of over 1,000 electric buses within the next two years.
The government is also making strides in adopting Clean Natural Gas (CNG) as an alternative auto fuel. Ten CNG buses are operational on selected Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors, serving as a testbed to evaluate their adaptability to public transport.
This move aligns seamlessly with LAMATA’s Strategic Transportation Master Plan, aimed at reducing emissions and achieving the state’s vision of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The plan includes deploying eco-friendly rolling stock such as CNG, Biofuel, and electric buses.
Highlighting achievements in the Lagos Urban Train Projects (LUTP), Mrs Akinajo proudly announced the successful delivery of the Blue Line rail—a fully electric rail system.
Civil works on the second rail project, the Red Line, are on track for completion before the year’s end. Test runs are slated to commence in Quarter 1, 2024, with commercial services expected in Quarter 2, 2024.
The commitment to sustainable and efficient transportation is a pivotal aspect of LAMATA’s 20-year journey, according to Mrs Akinajo. The last two decades have seen the authority achieving several milestones in public transit.
The vision for the next 20 years is centred on delivering a more robust public intermodal transport system, further solidifying Lagos as a pioneer in embracing eco-friendly and innovative solutions for its ever-growing population.
As the state takes significant strides towards a greener and more sustainable future, deploying electric buses and expanding alternative fuel options underscore Lagos’s dedication to becoming a model for other megacities grappling with the challenges of urban transportation and environmental sustainability.
The following 24 months will undoubtedly witness a transformative shift in the landscape of Lagos’s public transportation system, setting the stage for a cleaner, more efficient, and environmentally conscious future.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
, Mrs Abimbola Akinajo){kind=link}