Transportation in Lagos Nigeria
Lagos Nigeria Transport
Transportation in Lagos Nigeria
In Lagos Nigeria there are many ways of transporting goods and services the most common ones however are those that carry commuters between different parts of the state. For instance, people residing on the mainland of Lagos who work on the Island will definitely need to move from their bases to their respective work places every morning on work days and vice versa in the evenings. Here are some of the most common modes of transportation in Lagos Nigeria;
1. Okada
These are motorcycle taxis which carry single passengers along designated routes. Considered fastest ways of commuting in Lagos Nigeria due to their flexibility and speed in the Lagos traffic, Okada is not everybody’s first choice of transportation because of their risky nature (unlike cars and buses they are small and could easily be crushed by bigger vehicles, some Okada riders are also reckless and there isn’t really anyway of knowing this beforehand except after embarking on one). However they are relatively cheaper than normal taxis and are usually preferred by people trying to beat traffic.
2. Taxis
There are many classes of taxis in Lagos Nigeria some of which are the good old yellow and black stripe taxis which have been around since the 70’s and the newer corporate taxis. The corporate cabs are a recent development in taxiing in Lagos Nigeria especially since 2006 when several of them started making bold efforts at meeting the transportation needs of middle class folks and business executives looking for comfort and security while being moved from one point to another. Taxis are beyond the reach of most Lagosians but are often patronized by people who can’t use public buses or want some sort of comfort and convenience. Other examples of taxis include yellow cabs, blue cabs, orange cabs, red cabs and corporate cabs among others.
3. Danfos
Danfos are 14 seater mini buses which are mostly painted yellow with black stripes for those that operate on the mainland and white and green for those that ply routes on the Island whereas the most popular means of commuting by Lagosians, Danfo buses are anything but convenient since you have to compete with passengers to get in one of them (usually when buses are in short supply and this may be often during fuel scarcity), or perhaps for ample space to seat conveniently or be insulted by rude conductors or sometimes by other ill-mannered passengers. These buses ply all routes in the states except in private or reserved areas where there is also a ban on Okada.
4. Keke Marwa and Keke Napep
These are Indian made tricycles used for commercial purposes usually plying very short routes of less than 5 km. and carrying between 3 and 5 passengers, they shuttle between communities and are a bit more convenient than the danfo and okada except that they are the slowest means of transportation.
5. BRT and Lag buses
The newest addition to mass transit in Lagos state they are expected to completely replace the notorious molue buses which have been around for long. These buses are much neater, faster and convenient as they are operated professionally by Lagos state Government through one of its agencies, the Lagos metropolitan transport authority (LAMATA). They run on dedicated lanes along designated routes and have so far been a huge success in terms of meeting the transportation needs of Lagosians.
6. Train/rail transport
Although lying comatose at the moment due to rehabilitation works by the Lagos state Government ongoing, they are expected to pick up in 2011 where more than 1/3 of the population of Lagos commuters will be moved daily. Rail transportation is expected to become the most affordable and fastest means of commuting along distant routes.
7. Ferry
These means of transportation is not very popular despite being a bit faster and cheaper than road transportation. However ferries have been around for a long time as well and usually move passengers along Apapa, Ikorodu and Victoria Island and environs.
8. Lorries and trailers
Lorries and trailers are mostly used for transporting merchandise especially petroleum products, finished goods and raw materials for industries as well as agricultural produce. Occasionally they are the major causes of traffic jams and accidents.
