The first commercial operations for Nigeria’s economic hub Lagos’ Blue Rail Line project got underway on Monday.
Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos State, celebrated the start of the Lagos Blue Line rail’s official commercial operations among other Lagosians and state authorities.
The long-awaited start date, which had been repeatedly delayed, is anticipated to bring a lot of relief to Lagos residents.
“It was a very smooth experience, everything was organised and there was, I like it, it was very organised actually,” one passenger who had the chance to board the train stated.
Because it is powered by electricity, an engineer named Joseph Akinpelu claimed that “it will allow people to be able to reach their destination faster and reduce the environmental pollution.” It “will make transportation more seamless, and more comfortable,” Akinpelu continued.
The rail system is expected to significantly reduce travel times along the Mile 2-Marina route inside the state, carrying at least 250,000 passengers daily.
With a population of nearly 20 million, the state has earned a reputation for having chaotic traffic.
With the specific goal of shifting the state away from its well-known heavy reliance on a single transport mode, the Blue Rail Line project was created as a unique intra-city commuter mode.
Many state citizens, according to Babajide Sanwo-Olu, might use the metro by using their payment cards for public transportation. The governor stated that “almost 4 million citizens already have the Cowry card and that this Cowry card will be used on the train.” He also disclosed a 50% reduction in the Blue Line’s fees.
Dear Lagosians,
We began commercial operations for the long-awaited Blue Line Rail from Marina to Mile 2 as we put #LagosOnTrack together.
With a starting 50% discount on all public transport fares with the Cowry Card, we are ensuring that Lagosians can move freely in pursuit… pic.twitter.com/bPGizWounU
— Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) September 4, 2023
Phase I of the Blue Line, the network’s first phase, was initially planned to be finished in 2011. However, a lack of money and changes in the government’s top leadership have caused several delays in the construction process.
The 27 kilometre long Blue Line is anticipated to carry 500,000 passengers per day once it is fully operational, greatly easing Lagosians’ transport woes.
The Red Line, Blue line and the fourth mainland bridge is what would be the turning point for Lagos traffic.
I don’t want to see Gov. Sanwo-Olu stop at these 3 projects, I want to see him to do another train line or two. pic.twitter.com/GmLOOWF7kg
— Emperor of Lagos 👑 (@Emperordotman) September 5, 2023
Bienvenue: The Blue Line started passenger operations today. History. Vision. Resilience. Confidence. That’s the spirit of Lagos. Welcome onboard. pic.twitter.com/vNPrydL8Qb
— Gbenga Omotoso (@gbenga_omo) September 4, 2023
