Lagos Government to Commence Blue Rail Line Operations on September 4 

By Adeke Chukwuka

The Lagos State Government will kick off commercial operations for the Blue Line Rail on Monday, September 4, 2023.

Engr. Abimbola Akinajo, the Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), discussed the start date of operations at the Marina Station of the Blue Line Rail in Lagos during a press conference.

Akinajo led reporters on a tour of the Blue Line Rail from the Marina station to the National Arts Theatre Station in Iganmu. She announced that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu would take the first ride at 9 a.m. on September 4, before regular passenger service begins.

Akinajo also stated that partial passenger operations of the Blue Line Rail will commence on Tuesday, with morning service from 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and afternoon service from 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Initially, there will be 12 trips daily for two weeks, later increasing to 76 trips per day.

Akinajo revealed that the electric train will use a locomotive for the initial four weeks to ensure proper synchronisation with the physical infrastructure.

This approach aims to help passengers become familiar with the rail system during this period.

The head of LAMATA mentioned an estimated 150,000 daily passengers for the train. In the meantime, it will operate 12 trips during two schedules, with plans for 76 trips once fully operational.

The fare from Marina to Mile 2 will be N750, with a 50% discount applied as per Governor Sanwo-Olu’s announcement. Only cowry cards will be accepted for access, and stops at each station will be 90 seconds.

On January 24, 2023, President Muhammadu Buhari, accompanied by Governor Sanwo-Olu and Deputy Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, inaugurated the initial segment of the Blue Rail Line.

This phase spans from Marina to Mile 2. The event also included the commencement signing for Phase 2, which will extend the project from Mile 2 to Okokomaiko.