Lagos Red Line Rail begins partial operations after six-week trial run
By Sodiq Adelakun
The Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Red Line has launched partial passenger operations as of Wednesday following a successful six-week trial run.
This initial phase features trains running four trips daily between Oyingbo and Agbado in Ogun State, marking a significant step in Lagos State’s transportation modernisation efforts.
Head of Corporate Communication at the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Kolawole Ojelabi, announced the development in a statement.
“The Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Red Line will begin partial, invitational passenger operations from Wednesday, 28th August 2024,” the statement read. The Red Line, a crucial component of Lagos’ Strategic Transport Master Plan (STMP), connects Lagos with Ogun State, where many workers and business owners reside.
The initial operations will involve selected groups of non-paying passengers from August 28 to September 27, 2024. These trial riders will provide feedback on the system’s performance and user experience, which is vital for refining operations before the full public launch.
LAMATA has provided a registration link for those interested in participating in the trial rides. Prospective riders must submit their details, including contact information, age bracket, preferred test ride date, and choice of boarding station.
The Red Line project spans 37 kilometres, with the first phase covering 27 kilometres from Agbado to Oyingbo, featuring eight stations: Agbado, Iju, Agege, Ikeja, Oshodi, Mushin, Yaba, and Oyingbo. The line shares tracks with the Nigerian Railway Corporation’s Lagos-Ibadan route, following a track-sharing agreement.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced the acquisition of trains from the United States, the United Kingdom, and China. The Red Line is expected to initially transport 250,000 passengers daily, with capacity rising to 750,000 as operations expand and more rolling stock is integrated. Full passenger operations are anticipated to commence in the last quarter of 2024.
