The new initiative, with code; “LagRide,” according to the state
government is to further ensure seamless transportation system for teeming
commuting populace in the state.
The service with the tagline, “ride in comfort” is expected to be launched soon by the state government.
Sanwo-Olu, had in March 2021, unveiled a new e-hailing taxi scheme
to redefine road transportation in the state.
The Governor, also signed partnership agreement with CIG Motors
Company Limited for the take-off of “Lagos Ride” scheme with pilot fleet of
1,000 units of brand new Sport Utility Vehicles SUVs.
According to Sanwo-Olu, LagosRide would deploy 1,000 units of
brand new SUVs within the Lagos metropolis in the first phase.
The branded SUVs the Lagos government unveiled typically cost
upwards of ₦10 million ($26,000) in Nigeria, but the governor revealed that the
Cooperative Society in the Lagos Ministry of Wealth Creation will give drivers
the room to pay monthly instalments for a period of four years.
At the end of the period, the
drivers will be able to fully own the cars.
The government had
initially, projected to kick off the project within the next six months which
has expired.
According to Sanwo-Olu, at the
unveiling of the project earlier, “The initiative is targeted at improving
mobility and creating a multi-modal transportation system for Lagosians.”
The governor
continued; “The scheme is in fulfilment of our desire to give residents better
transportation choices.
“The modern ride
service is one of the State Government’s socio-economic intervention
programmes, which will be professionally managed in line with global best
practices.”
Meanwhile, last
Sunday, February 20, 2022, the vehicles, Lagos Ride, numbering hundreds,
attracted motorists and commuters attention on Third Mainland Bridge as they
were lined up in convoy enroute destination points.
It was gathered
that the app is available on google play store where the franchise company
described it as “a mobility solution that will allow users book and share the
cost of a ride with similar transit patterns.”
The modus operandi
of the app will link up users based on their preferred pick and drop off points
each not more than 1km apart respectively and pick-up time not more than five
mins apart.
The state
Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Ggbenga Omotoso, confirmed the
planned official launch of the initiative by Mr. Governor.
In March 2020, two
entrepreneurs, Nathaniel Gideon and Segun Cole founded Ekocab, a ride-hailing
service that looked to rival Uber and Bolt, in partnership with the Lagos state
government.
The timing of the
launch coincided with the period when people were still feeling the effects of
the ban on Lagos commercial motorcycle, popularly called “Okada” and there was
fresh regulatory attention on ride-hailing powerhouses, Uber and Bolt.
Heated controversy
trailed the launch, and the app was greeted with harsh reviews on the Google
Play Store.
The Lagos state
government also said it will be partnering with CIG Motors Limited, a Chinese
vehicle manufacturer, to set up a vehicle assembly plant in Lagos.
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