By Cynthia Ezekwe.
The Blue Line Rail constructed by the Lagos state government, is set to commence commercial operations with 12 trips per day from the first week of September, 2023, according to the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA).
Abimbola Akinajo, managing director,LAMATA, made this known at a press briefing held recently at the Marina station of the rail line, noting that the train service would cover 13 kilometres of the first phase- Marina to Mile 2 on the Lagos-Badagry corridor.
The Blue Line train is to be powered by electricity,making Lagos State the first sub-national to own the first electric multiple unit (EMU) train not only in Nigeria, but also in West Africa.
Akinaja explained that the state couldn’t begin operations as intended by the end of the first quarter and also in August 2023, due to unexpected issues and challenges.
Akinajo stressed the meticulous testing of interfaces, ensuring commuter safety, and verifying the reliability of power and intermodal systems, adding that each terminal’s train will have a maximum stop time of 90 seconds, maintaining a strict schedule.
According to the LAMATA MD, the service will operate both in the morning and evening phases, with ongoing tests during the day to ensure the trains are in proper condition.
“It’s a metro service, we will be working to the timetable and will be available at every station and Lamata website. The train at every terminal will stop at nothing less than 90 seconds. It’s a scheduled service,” Akinajo said.
She noted further that in the first four weeks of operations, the Blue Rail Line will offer a limited number of 12 trips, covering the route from Marina to each terminal, adding that afterwards, the Blue Rail Line will increase the frequency of trips.
“For the first few weeks of operations , locomotives will be used to power the trains,before transitioning to a fully electrified system but the tracks are all electrified. Safety measures include cameras at every station, patrolling officers, body scanners, and metro police presence to prevent vandalism and ensure passenger safety,’’ Akinajo added.
