As from Monday, the number of daily train trips in Lagos will increase from 12 to 54.
Starting on Monday, October 16, 2023, the Lagos State government will increase the number of train trips on the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue Line (Marina to Mile 2) from 12 to 54, and then to 74 by the end of November 2023.
The tracks are expected to be energised by next Monday, according to a statement released today by Kolawole Ojelabi, Consultant, Corporate Communication, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA). This will allow for the deployment of additional train sets for daily passenger operations.
Train services will operate on Saturday, October 14 (morning peak only) in preparation for the anticipated increase in ridership, but will be suspended for the remainder of the day and all of Sunday, October 15, 2023 in order to facilitate the full conversion to electricity.
Engr. Mrs. Abimbola Akinajo, Managing Director of LAMATA, said, “We need to shut down train operations for passenger safety while the switch to electricity is on, and we also need to make sure the test is done safely.”
Whenever a major change, like the one we want to implement this weekend, is to take place, it is standard practise to suspend passenger operations. We can introduce more trips and carry more people with this change,” she said.
On September 4, 2023, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu opened the first phase of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue Line to the public. Since then, the line has carried more than 80,000 riders.
Over the next few months, the number of people travelling between Marina and Mile 2 is expected to rise to more than 150,000 per day.
