Sanwo-Olu Announces Increase in Train Trips From Monday October 16

Starting from Monday, October 16, 2023, the Lagos State government is set to significantly increase the number of train trips on the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue Line, which runs from Marina to Mile 2. The plan is to raise the number of daily train trips from 12 to 54 initially, with a further increase to 74 trips expected by the end of November 2023.

In an announcement made on Wednesday, Kolawole Ojelabi, the Consultant for Corporate Communication at the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), revealed that the tracks are anticipated to be electrified by the following Monday. This electrification will enable the deployment of additional train sets for daily passenger services.

To facilitate this transition to electric power, certain adjustments will be made. On Saturday, October 14, 2023, train services will operate only during the morning peak hours. However, there will be no train service during the afternoon of Saturday, October 14, and throughout the entire day on Sunday, October 15, 2023.

Engr. Mrs. Abimbola Akinajo, the Managing Director of LAMATA, explained the necessity of temporarily suspending passenger operations during this transition. She emphasized that it is a global best practice to halt passenger services when implementing significant changes such as the switch to electric power. This approach ensures both passenger safety and a secure testing process.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu inaugurated passenger operations for the first phase of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue Line on September 4, 2023. Since then, this service has successfully transported over 80,000 passengers. It is projected that in the upcoming months, daily passenger movement between Marina and Mile 2 will exceed 150,000 passengers.