CEM REPORT, TRANSPORT | Lagos State Blue Line rail system is set to kick off commercial operations in September.
The state government through the Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority (LAMATA), revealed that a trip will cost ₦750.
Abimbola Akinajo, managing director of the Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority (LAMATA), announced this at a media briefing held at the Marina terminal.
She stated that the official kick-off date for the commercial operations has been set for September 4, 2023.
Akinajo noted that the government’s 50 per cent fare reduction, applicable to all government-owned transportation, will also be extended to the Blue rail line.
The launch of operations of the Lagos Blue Line rail system is coming behind the scheduled first quarter of 2023.
“We couldn’t begin operations as intended by the end of the first quarter due to unexpected issues. Although we promised an August launch, we faced challenges in meeting that timeline.”
Akinajo stressed that a series of testing of the interfaces, to ensure commuter safety, and verifying the reliability of power and intermodal systems contributed to the delay m
She stated that the inaugural commercial trip would take off at 9 a.m., conveying the governor and other passengers, marking the beginning of commercial services.
Giving details of the operations, the managing director said the service will operate in morning and evening phases, with continuous assessments throughout the day to ensure the trains maintain proper working conditions.
She added that operating hours for the train stations will span between 6:30 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. with a maximum stop time of 90 seconds at each terminal’s train.
Furthermore, the metro service will strictly adhere to a fixed timetable, which will be accessible at all stations and on the LAMATA website.
“It’s a metro service, we will be working to the timetable and will be available at every station and LAMATA website.
“The train at every terminal will stop at nothing less than 90 seconds. It’s a scheduled service,” Akinajo said.
Abimbola noted that in the first 4 weeks of operations, the Blue Rail Line will offer a limited number of 12 trips, covering the route from Marina to each terminal.
Afterwards, the Blue Rail Line will increase the frequency of trips.
For the first few weeks of operations, locomotives will be used to power the trains, before transitioning to a fully electrified system but the tracks are all electrified.
Safety measures include cameras at every station, patrolling officers, body scanners, and metro police presence to prevent vandalism and ensure passenger safety.
The Blue Line project is a 27-kilometre rail route designed to run from Okokomaiko eastwards to Mile 2 and then proceed to Marina via Ijora. However, only phase one covering 13km, Marina to Mile-2 is ready with five stations.
The stations are at Marina, National Theatre, Orile Iganmu, Suru-Alaba, and Mile 2, while phase two upon completion, will extend the line 27km to Okokomaiko in Ojo.
