One thousand brand new saloon and sports utility vehicles have been unveiled as the pilot vehicles of the Lagos ride taxi scheme, otherwise known as LAGRIDE.
The e-hailing taxi scheme is part of a joint venture between the state government and a Chinese car Manufacturing Company, which also include the establishment of a car assembling plant in Lagos.
Operators are required to pay about N1.9 million down payment, of which the sum covers the 20 per cent equity of cost of vehicle, registration and insurance. Each car being used in the scheme comes with technology-enabled security features that monitor every journey undertaken.
In his remarks during the unveiling of the vehicles at the Lagos House, Ikeja, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu described the scheme as a promise fulfilled as the scheme is part of his administration’s plan of enhancing mobility suitable for the megacity status of Lagos.
Governor Sanwo-olu noted that the modern ride service is also part of his government’s socio-economic intervention programmes as prospective drivers are allowed to pay for the vehicles in installment over a period of four years.
To improve riders’ and passengers’ security, Governor Sanwo-Olu said a full security gadget, including a 360 dashboard camera that will give 24-hour audio-visual feeds to the control centre, had been pre-installed on each car deployed for the scheme.
He explained that a physical panic button is installed in each car and can be used by anyone on board in case of assault or emergency. The panic button, the Governor said, is also on the mobile application and is connected to the Control and Command Centre of the State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA
Governor Sanwo-Olu urged the Chinese Car manufacturing Company to increase the capacity of its car assembling plant which is almost completed in the State.
In a goodwill message, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Cui Jianchun, challenged the Lagos State government to invest more in rail transportation to decongest traffic on Lagos roads.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, stated that to reduce cost of riding, a ride sharing option had been imputed in the Lagride application, which is already live on the various app download platforms
As part of the launching of the Lagride, Governor Sanwo-olu and the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat booked rides using the online application.
