He declared that in order to keep up with demand, the government will keep raising the frequency of train services.
The historic Red Rail Line train service has officially begun full commercial operations under the direction of Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.After boarding the train on Tuesday at 5:20 PM and arriving at Ikeja at 5:55 PM, Sanwo-Olu emphasised that the Red Line—which is expected to carry 500,000 passengers per day at full capacity—will greatly enhance transportation in the state.
Ikeja Redline Train Station
The Red Line was officially launched by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on February 29.According to Sanwo-Olu, in order to satisfy demand, the government will keep raising the frequency of train services.
“Today marks the launch of commercial operations of the LMRT Red Line, commencing passenger services from Agbado to Oyingbo,” the governor said. “We are on a mission to keep Lagos moving, and the Red Line is a key part of our vision to create a seamlessly connected city. This is also our second rail system to become operational in less than two years,” he said.In compliance with the directive from the regulatory body, Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), which last Friday granted the operator, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), the necessary licenses to run the two metro lines, a trial run was carried out on the Red Line from September to October.
“Just like with the Blue Line and other public infrastructure, remember that this project belongs to all of us,” the governor said, urging citizens to prepare their Cowry Cards for boarding. Let’s treat it with the respect it deserves.”Important figures on the inaugural train ride to Agbado included the Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Abimbola Akinajo, Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, Permanent Secretary for Transportation, and Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi.Daily passenger services on the Red Line will depart in two trains, the first from Agbado at 6:00 AM and the second from Iju Station at 7:30 AM.
The Red Line is expected to improve citywide mobility by carrying roughly 500,000 residents each day. In the interest of the general public, the governor also asked locals to guard against vandalism on the infrastructure.President Bola Tinubu officially launched the Red Line infrastructure on February 29, 2024, after work had started in 2021.
The start of Red Line rail service’s commercial operations was announced by Governor Sanwo-Olu last week.With eight stations located at Oyingbo, Yaba, Mushin, Oshodi, Ikeja, Agege, Iju, and Agbado, the first phase of the Red Line spans 27 kilometres.