Lagos governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu is expected to lead officials of State Government and other stakeholders as the first passengers as the much expected Lagos Blue Line Rail commences operations today.
The rail service is being managed by the Lagos State Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) was commissioned by former President Muhammadu Buhari in December 2022.
However, commercial operation of the rail service could not commence at the first quarter of 2023 as scheduled because of the delay in the completion of the electricity infrastructure expected to power it.
Lagos Blue Line Rail Mass Transit project
But LAMATA had constantly been carrying passengers to ensure that the interface between the infrastructure and all of the works that had been done was sinking excellently well.
“We are here to say that we are completely ready in terms of all operational infrastructure,” Managing Director, Lagos State Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Abimbola Akinajo, said while announcing that the train service will commence operation today, 4 August last at a press briefing last Wednesday.
Here are some fact to know about the train and how to use it.
1. According to LAMATA feasibility study, about 175,000 passengers will use the blue line rail on daily basis.
2. The rail operation today will be the very first real operation to be run by electric power, hence, LAMATA said it has it has bee very meticulous in ensuring that all the issues are dealt with, including the provision of the power, health and safety, operational modalities, to ensure the safety of all of our passengers are taken care of.
3. After it kicks off operation today, the rail operations will begin to run by 6.30 a.m till 10.00 p.m on daily basis.
4. The train service will begin with 12 trips daily from Mile 2 to Marina for at least two weeks, and the service would gradually increase.After four weeks of commencement, the train trips would increase to 30 trips.
Governor Sanwo-Olu and workers at the Iganmu station of the Lagos Blue Line rail
5. The train service will operate according to according to a timetable that will be available on LAMATA’s website and at every station.
6. The train is not expected to to stop for no more than 90 seconds – it is a scheduled service..
7. The Blue Line Rail extends from Marina to Mile 2 with five stations located in Marina, National Theatre, Iganmu, Alaba, and Orile.
8. Passengers will board the train with the use of Cowry Cards and are not allowed to drink or eat in the train.
9. The train fare was initially fixed at N750 from Marina to Mile 2, N500 from Marina to National Theatre and N400 to Iganmu-Orile. But with the palliative of Governor Sanwo-Olu passengers would pay N375 from Mile 2 to Marina.
10. Passengers and commuters have been warned to avoid crossing the track of the Blue Rail line to avoid instant electrocution – overhead bridges have been provided by the government for those who want to cross from one side to the other.
