Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has officially announced the commencement of the Lagos State Blue Line Rail, scheduled to start operations on September 4, 2023.
This significant development will see the governor himself take the inaugural ride on the train at 9 a.m. on Monday, September 4, before the service is made available to other passengers.
Governor Sanwo-Olu conveyed this news through a statement posted on social media.
He expressed his excitement about the long-awaited Blue Line Rail, which will operate from Marina to Mile 2, stating that it marks a milestone in putting #LagosOnTrack.
He also invited residents to join him at the Marina Station for this historic inaugural ride, which will undoubtedly ease the daily commute for many residents.
The governor outlined the operational schedule, explaining that from Tuesday onward, partial passenger operations would run during specific hours: from 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. in the morning and from 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the afternoon.
Initially, there will be 12 trips per day for the first two weeks, gradually increasing to 76 trips per day. Passengers will have the convenience of using their Lagos Cowry Card for boarding.
Sanwo-Olu emphasized that the Blue Line Rail is a project for the people, promising world-class services that will benefit all residents. This rail project is part of a larger effort to transform Lagos into a fully interconnected city, significantly enhancing the city’s transportation system.
Regarding safety and security, the governor revealed that the entire rail network is equipped with over 300 CCTV cameras, with more than 30 cameras dedicated to monitoring the tracks alone. Command and control centers are available at all stations along the track.
Sanwo-Olu urged residents to take ownership of this project and treat it with respect, emphasizing that any disturbances or vandalism will not be tolerated.
During a press conference held at the Marina Station of the Blue Line Rail, Engr. Abimbola Akinajo, the Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), addressed passengers.
She urged passengers not to eat or drink on the train and assured them that comprehensive security measures were in place to safeguard lives and property.
Akinajo also affirmed that the governor’s plan to offer subsidized public transportation prices at a 50 percent discount within the state would extend to the train service.
The Blue Line Rail project was launched by former President Muhammadu Buhari in January, with Governor Sanwo-Olu conducting a test run prior to its official inauguration.
This rail line will connect Mile 2 on the mainland to Marina on the island, significantly enhancing Lagos’ transportation network.