Today, September 4, 2023, will mark the official start of passenger service on the Lagos Blue Line rail system.
The rail line was officially opened in January 2023 by the late President Muhammadu Buhari.
On Wednesday, August 30, 2023, the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) made the announcement, and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu rode in the maiden trip alongside the general public.
Here are 15 essential details about the Lagos Blue Line rail network.
1. The Lagos Blue Line rail system was first suggested in 1983, under the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande, the former governor of Lagos State.
2. Twenty years later, in 2003, during Bola Tinubu’s administration, the train network was officially inaugurated.
3. The China Civil Engineering Construction Company was hired by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) to build the rail system.
4.The Lagos State Government estimates that the rail service will carry 250,000 people per day in its initial phase.
5. The first part is 13 kilometers long and runs from Marina to Mile 2.
6. The second segment is 14 kilometers long and runs from Mile 2 to Okokomaiko.
7.When finished, the 27 km of train route will carry 500,000 passengers per day.
8. According to Governor Sanwo-Olu, the trip from Marina to Mile 2 will take 15 minutes.
9. The full fee from Marina to Mile 2 will be $750, while customers who are not making the complete trip would pay between $400 and $500 for zonal fares.
10. To board the train, passengers can use their Cowry cards.
Electric Multiple Unit (EMU), an independent power source, powers the trains.
11. When the train service is fully operating, it will perform 76 trips between 5:30 am and 11 late.
12. At each station, the trains will halt for 90 seconds.
13. Over 30 surveillance cameras in each station’s command and control center keep an eye on just the tracks.