Emmanuel OchayiGovernor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu became the first passenger to embark on a journey as the Blue Line commences passenger operations. This marks a significant milestone in the city’s transportation history.
Hundreds of eager Lagosians, including members of the public, the media, and various stakeholders, joined the governor on a train ride from the iconic Marina train station to the Mile 2 terminal station.
This marked the commencement of commercial passenger operations for the first phase of the Lagos Blue Line rail services on Monday, September 4, 2023.
The Lagos Blue Line, a crucial component of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Masterplan, aims to alleviate the mass transit challenges that have long plagued the city. The electric-powered high-speed metro train system was inaugurated by former President Muhammadu Buhari on January 24, 2022.
READ ALSO: Blue Line Service: Lagosians Can No Longer Wait
The much-anticipated passenger operations were announced by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) through its Managing Director, Engineer Abimbola Akinajo, at a press conference on August 30, 2023.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, visibly excited about this momentous occasion, shared his thoughts with the crowd: “It’s been a wonderful experience personally for me this morning and for almost all the 500 passengers.”
He also assured Lagosians of safety and security on the trains, stating, “The whole place is well secured. There are men of the Nigerian Police, there are Neighborhood Watch. And they also have private security operatives that are all there. The stations are clean, and we are all good to go.”
To encourage the use of the new transport system, Governor Sanwo-Olu announced a significant fare reduction, with the cost of a complete trip along the first phase now only N375, down from the original N750.
This reduction is part of a 50 percent discount subsidy palliative from the Lagos State Government, aimed at easing the burden of the rising cost of living for Lagos residents.
He also emphasized the importance of safety around the rail infrastructure, reminding citizens that the train tracks are electrified and should not be crossed for any reason, whether for buying or selling purposes.
In addition to celebrating the success of the Blue Line, Governor Sanwo-Olu provided an update on the Red Line, another vital route of the LRMT, running from Agbado to Oyingbo. “The Red Line is about 95 percent ready, and when it gets to 100 percent, we will commission it. We are certain that before the end of the year, we will commission the Red Line,” he announced.
As part of the ongoing progress, the governor revealed that the opening of several bridges, including Ikeja-Along Bridge, Oyingbo Bridge, Yaba Bridge, Mushin Bridge, and Ayoola-Coker Bridge, would commence by the end of the month.
With three trains currently operational on the Blue Line, each capable of carrying 1,000 passengers per trip, the city anticipates accommodating an estimated total of 150,000 passengers daily.
The Blue Line’s daily services, covering a 13-kilometer stretch with stops at Alaba, Iganmu, and National Theatre stations, promise a quick and efficient commute for Lagosians, with the first ride starting at 6:30 am and the return journey at 7:03 am.
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