Railway
PHOTOS: A Look Into Lagos Red Line Rail Project
Lagos Rail Mass Transit is a rapid transit system in Lagos State. The rail system is managed by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA).
The railway equipment including electric power, signals, rolling stock, and fare collection equipment will be provided by the private sector under a concession contract.
LAMATA is responsible for policy direction, regulation, and infrastructure for the network. The first section of the network, Phase I of the Blue Line, was originally planned to be completed in 2011, though the construction has suffered many delays caused by the shortage of funds and a change of government.
In February 2021, the Lagos State Government announced that the Blue and Red Lines would be open by December 2022 but Blue Line is now planned to open in August 2023.
Timeline
2008: A metro is proposed for Lagos, allegedly with a completion date of 2011.
2009: Construction commences on the Blue Line.
2016: Phase I (the Blue Line from Marina to Mile 2) is planned to open in December 2016.
2018: After an Alstom review of the project, Phase I (the Blue Line from Marina to Mile 2) is now set to open in 2021.
2021: The Lagos State Government announced that the Blue and Red Lines will open in December 2022.
2022, January: LAMATA purchases two Talgo VIII trains.
On Jan 24, 2023, President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated the first phase of the Lagos Mass Transit Blue Line Rail Project.
Routes
Blue Line: Okokomaiko – Marina
Main article: Lagos Rail Mass Transit Blue Line
The Blue Line is (As of January 2023) an under-construction line that has been partially opened. The planned route is 27 kilometers (17 mi) from Okokomaiko to Lagos Marina. Construction had been delayed due to lack of funds, however, as of January 2023, the first phase of the line is undergoing testing with a view to allowing passenger service.
The Red Line: Agbado – Marina
The second line, the Red Line, will run from Marina to Agbado. The line will share the right-of-way of the Lagos–Kano Standard Gauge Railway. The Lagos State government purchased Talgo trainsets for use on the Red Line from Wisconsin, United States of America, where they were built and purchased for service between Milwaukee and Madison, but never used.
The Red Line [Airport Branch]
The Airport Branch of the Red Line runs from Ikeja to MMIA International Terminal.
In March 2023, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu inspected the ongoing construction works around the state Red Line Rail project, maintaining that the government is committed to completing the project.
Sanwo-Olu inspected the ongoing Red Line Rail stations and vehicular bridge overpass at the Yaba and Ebute Meta axis of the state.
After inspecting the project, Sanwo-Olu stated that the Ebute Metta vehicular bridge overpass was between seventy-five to eighty percent completed, while that of Yaba was ninety-five percent completed as the government was collaborating with the Nigerian Railway Corporation.
He also said that the two train stations were at advanced stages of completion, expressing satisfaction with the progress and level of work, from Ebute- Meta to Agbado.
While on the inspection tour, the governor stated that when completed, the unfortunate train accident, which claimed lives at the PWD rail crossing could be averted considering the design of the ongoing modern red line project.
Sanwo-Olu said that the early resumption of work immediately after the 2023 elections, was to fulfill the “more work” promise during the campaign to deliver the “Lagos Project”
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