Rivers State Monorail

The Rivers State Monorail, also known as Rivers Monorail and occasionally as Port Harcourt Monorail, is a proposed monorail urban transportation project in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

Details

It will travel on a fully segregated, mostly elevated, right of way. The right of way will include two tracks, except for single-track sections at terminals and for one-directional loops. The initial route includes two segments - Phase 1A from Sharks Park to UTC Station, and Phase 1B further north to Waterlines. The overall distance from Sharks Park to Waterlines will be 5.4 km. Further extensions are in planning phases.[1]

It is planned to use Intamin People Mover P30 monorail trains, an electric driven train especially designed and most suitable for commuter services in cities. It is the most recent model of its kind and characterized by modern design, spacious cabins, and wide doors for easy access for passengers with luggage. The train runs on rubber wheels which are connected to bogies, and is laterally guided by means of side guiding wheels. The rubber-steel interface between train and guideway will have a good friction coefficient, leading to decreased vibration transmission to the train from the track. These attributes leads to higher ride quality and passenger comfort.

One train will be in operation in Phase 1A, and six trains in Phase 1B. A train will consist of seven individual cars. Six cars will carry passengers, and the seventh car will house the motors and electrical equipment. Driver’s cabins will be situated at each end of the train.

Passenger cars will feature safety and comfort systems. The air conditioning system is designed to provide a comfortable train interior, even if the outside temperature reaches 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit). Each train will be able to accommodate 172 passengers, with provision for 44 seated passengers included. One end car will have access for wheelchairs, and all cabin floors will be the same height as the station platforms to provide easy access for passengers with reduced mobility. Provision will be made for hand-held luggage only.

The design operating capacity for Phase 1A is 1,200 passengers per hour. With a maximum operating speed of 70km/h, the train will travel between end stations in about 8 minutes. Six trains will have a design operating capacity of 2,700 passengers per hour. Train travel time between end stations will be about 22 minutes. Passengers can expect a train to arrive every 8 minutes.[1]

History

The decision to build the monorail was taken in 2009. In 2010, building of the project foundations began. The Government of Rivers State had in February 2013 announced that phase 1A and 1B of the monorail system would be completed during September that year.[2] By 2014, monorail trains were performing test runs through UTC Station.[3][4]

In 2015, the LP Gubernatorial Candidate Tonye Princewill said he would cancel the system, he did lose the election receiving .86% of the vote.[5]

In 2015, newly elected Rivers State Governor Ezenwo Nyesom Wike announce that the project would be reviewed.[6]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Rivers Monorail | Allowing Faster Travel Time From Point to Point". riversmonorail.ng. Retrieved 2015-07-05.
  2. ↑ "N74bn Rivers State Monorail Ready by September, Says Ameachi". Thisday Live. 14 February 2013. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
  3. ↑ "Rivers State Monorail Set to Launch in October". AllAfrica. 7 July 2014. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
  4. ↑ "Stations | Filters | Rivers Monorail". riversmonorail.ng. Retrieved 2015-07-05.
  5. ↑ "(untitled)". Archived from the original on August 5, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Port Harcourt Monorail May Not Continue Says Wike | All You Need To Know". gist360.com. Retrieved 2015-07-05.
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