Starting from Monday, October 16, the Lagos State Government is set to significantly enhance its rail transit system, increasing the number of train trips from 12 to 54 on the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue Line, which spans from Marina to Mile 2. This ambitious expansion is aimed at achieving a total of 74 daily train trips by the end of November.
In an official statement released yesterday, Kolawole Ojelabi, the Consultant for Corporate Communication at the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), disclosed that preparations are well underway for this major upgrade. By next Monday, the railway tracks are expected to be energized, enabling the deployment of additional train sets to accommodate daily passenger operations.
To facilitate this transition, there will be adjustments in the train service schedule. On Saturday, October 14, there will be train services during the morning peak hours only. However, there will be no train service on Saturday afternoon and the entire day on Sunday, October 15, to facilitate the seamless transition to an electricity-based system.
Mrs. Abimbola Akinajo, the Managing Director of LAMATA, emphasized the paramount importance of ensuring passenger safety during this transformation. She stated, “Suspending passenger operations during significant changes like the upcoming electrification process is a standard practice worldwide. This move will not only bolster passenger safety but also pave the way for increased train trips and a greater capacity to serve more passengers.”
The first phase of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue Line, inaugurated by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on September 4, 2023, has already served over 80,000 passengers. Projections indicate that daily passenger traffic between Marina and Mile 2 is poised to exceed 150,000 passengers in the coming months, marking a significant step toward more efficient and convenient public transportation in Lagos.
