Blue Line Rail commercial operations begin Monday — LAMATA

The Lagos State Government says it will begin passenger operations on the Blue Line Rail on Monday, Sept. 4.

The Managing Director, Lagos State Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Mrs. Abimbola Akinajo, made this known on Wednesday at Marina, during a press briefing and test run of the train with newsmen.

Akinajo said that with a feasibility study, the train system would be conveying 175,000 passengers on a daily basis.

She said that though commercial operations would have begun in the first quarter of 2023, they were delayed to ensure that all modalities were in place.

”As you know, the first phase of the blue line was commissioned, and the infrastructure completion was commissioned by Mr. President (the former President, Muhammadu Buhari) in December.

”At the time, we had said to you we would start operations in March. Unfortunately, we did not, by the end of the first quarter, then by the end of the second quarter. Unfortunately, we had hiccups with power delivery.

”We are here to say that we are completely ready in terms of all operational infrastructure. The reason that we have been delayed is due to the fact that our power provision was delayed,” Akinajo said.

”So we are here to say that we are going to start commercial operations in all of the time that we have completed the civil infrastructure.

According to her, LAMATA had constantly been carrying passengers because it was testing to ensure that the interface between the infrastructure and all of the work that had been done was sinking excellently.

She said that the operation of the rail was going to be the very first real operation to run on electric power; hence, LAMATA was being meticulous in all aspects of the operations.

”So, from that perspective, we have been very meticulous in ensuring that all the issues are dealt with, including the provision of power, health and safety, and operational modalities, to ensure the safety of all of our passengers,” the MD said.

She said that on Sept. 4, commercial operations would begin by 9.00 a.m., with Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State as the first passenger.

Akinajo said that after Monday, rail operations would begin from 6.30 a.m. until 10 p.m. on a daily basis.

The LAMATA boss said that the train service, which would run from Mile 2 to Marina, would run 12 trips on a daily basis for a period of two weeks, and the service would gradually increase.

”We will be stopping at every station. So, this is a terminal station; Mile 2 is a terminal station.

“At Marina and Mile 2, the trains will be stopping for no more than five minutes. This is a metro service. So this is not one that you can wander off to.

”We will be working according to a timetable. That timetable will be available on LAMATA’s website, and that timetable will also be available at every station.

“When the train gets into any station, it will stop for no more than 90 seconds. So, you need to know, and this is it, for us to understand that it is a scheduled service,” she said.

She said that the Blue Line Rail service had five stations, which comprise Marina, the National Theatre, Orile-Iganmu, Alaba, and Mile 2.

Akinajo urged passengers to get their cowry cards ready and top them up for the train service, as that was the means of payment for its use.

She said that after four weeks of commencement, the train trips would increase to 30.

The LAMATA boss urged passengers not to pass through the track for their safety, as they were energised.

She said that the Commissioner of Police had deployed police officers to work with them, adding that passengers should not drink or eat on the train.

She said that the train fare was N750 from Marina to Mile 2, N500 from Marina to the National Theatre, and N400 to Iganmu-Orile.

Akinajo said that within the palliative introduced to the transport sector through the Governor, passengers would pay N375 from Mile 2 to Marina.