Excitement as passengers begin free ride on new Lagos Red Rail Line

Excitement as passengers begin free ride on new Lagos Red Rail Line

The Lagos Mass Transit Red Line Rail on Wednesday commenced partial operations with non-fee-paying passengers riding.

Spokesperson for the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, Kolawole Ojelabi, announced the start of the new train operations in a statement on Tuesday.

President Bola Tinubu commissioned the Red Line Rail Mass Transit project on February 29 this year, marking a significant milestone in the city’s transportation system.

According to LAMATA, the Red Line Rail is one of the six rail lines and one monorail prescribed for Lagos in her Strategic Transport Master Plan.

The trains will convey passengers free and run four daily trips between Oyingbo and Agbado.

It is also a transport project connecting Lagos with Ogun State, as many Lagos workers and business owners reside in Ogun.

Ojelabi said the milestone marked the culmination of planning and training of technical and ground staff; installation of all the security features, and a successful six-week trial run conducted without passengers to ensure the system’s safety, reliability, and efficiency.

“From Wednesday, August 28, the Red Line system will interact with non-fee-paying passengers in organised groups to collect feedback before the commencement of commercial operations.

“The partial operations, similar to what was done during the test phase of the Blue Line, is a major step forward in realising the Lagos State Government’s vision of a modern, efficient, integrated and sustainable transportation system.

“The Red Line’s first phase, a 27-kilometre rail road from Agbado to Oyingbo, will provide a reliable and affordable transportation option for commuters, reducing traffic congestion and improving the quality of life for Lagos residents,” Ojelabi said.