By Salifu Faridat
In a momentous occasion, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, accompanied by his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, and other dignitaries, marked the inauguration of the Lagos Blue Line rail system on Monday.
The historic journey commenced at the Marina terminal and concluded at Mile 2, signifying the commencement of passenger operations on this vital rail line.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, visibly thrilled during the inaugural ride, also shared exciting news regarding the progress of the Red Line, stating, “The red line will be completed before the end of the year. The project is about 95% done.”
He further disclosed plans to commission the flyover bridges constructed for the Red Line, starting at the end of September.
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Passenger operations on the Blue Line Rail officially kicked off on September 5, with scheduled services running from 6:30 AM to 10:00 AM during the morning peak and from 4:00 PM to 9:30 PM in the afternoon. Initially, the service will provide 12 trips for two weeks, with a gradual increase to 76 trips per day.
The comprehensive security measures on the Blue Line Rail include an extensive network of more than 300 CCTV cameras, with over 30 cameras dedicated to monitoring the tracks alone.
Additionally, command and control centers have been established in all stations along the rail track to ensure passenger safety and operational efficiency.
Mrs. Abimbola Akinajo, the Managing Director of Lagos State Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), highlighted the significant capacity of the rail system, noting that it has the potential to transport up to 175,000 passengers daily.
She explained that while commercial operations were initially planned for the first quarter of 2023, the delay was necessary to ensure the seamless implementation of all aspects of the rail system.
The Blue Line Rail service encompasses five stations, namely Marina, National Theatre, Orile-Iganmu, Alaba, and Mile 2, offering a promising solution to alleviate the transportation challenges in Lagos State.
