The Lagos metro train, which was recently made available to the public for commercial use, is set to transition to full electric operation starting on Monday, October 16, 2023. This announcement was made by Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the state governor.
Additionally, Governor Sanwo-Olu revealed that the Mass Transit Blue Line, the specific metro train in question, will significantly increase its daily trips from 12 to 54, with plans to further expand to 74 trips by the end of November this year.
“Starting Monday, October 16, 2023, we’re increasing train trips on the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue Line from 12 to 54, with plans for 74 trips by the end of November,” the governor said in a message he dropped on his X handle Wednesday.
To actualise the October 16 transition, Sanwo-Olu said, “We’ll need to shut down train services on Saturday, October 14 after the morning peak service and for the entire day on Sunday, October 15, for the switch to electricity.
“This momentary pause is to ensure that your safety is our top priority.
“I can assure you that suspending passenger operations is a global practice to effect major changes. This switch to electricity will help us introduce more trips and help us serve more passengers safely.”
The governor said since the launch of the first phase of the LRMT Blue Line on September 4, 2023, the train had moved over 80,000 passengers.
“Our goal is to surpass 150,000 daily passengers between Marina and Mile 2 in the coming months.
“The future of Lagos trains is bright, and I’m committed to improving your commuting experience,” he added.
A separate statement by Corporate Communication Consultant to the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Kolawole Ojelabi, also said by next Monday, the tracks would have been fully energized to allow for the deployment of additional train sets for daily passenger operations.
“Ahead of the increase in train trips, train services will run on Saturday October 14 (morning peak only), while there would be no service on Saturday afternoon and on Sunday, October 15, to allow for the complete change over to electricity.
He quoted Managing Director of LAMATA, Mrs Abimbola Akinajo, as saying, “We need to shut down train operations for passenger safety while the switch to electricity is on as well as ensure that the test is carried out in a safe manner.”
