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File: Passengers boarding a train
The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority has disclosed that six new trains will be added to the Lagos rail system following successful safety tests in China.
LAMATA made this known through a statement posted on its X handle on Thursday.
According to the statement, the trains will operate on both the Blue and Red Lines of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit system.
The Blue Rail which started operations in September 2023 under current administration in the state, operates 72 daily trips along its 13-kilometre route between Marina and Mile 2.
The statement reads,” Six additional train sets will be in Lagos very soon to strengthen the capacity of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit Blue and Red Lines to deliver value to commuters and thereby increase the economic viability of the state.”
The statement further stated that the expanded fleet aims to increase passenger capacity and strengthen the system’s economic performance.
The new trains will support the planned extension to Okokomaiko.
This second phase, extending 14 kilometres from Mile 2, is scheduled for completion in early 2027.
It is, however, projected that the construction of phase two from Mile 2 to Okokomaiko, about 14 kilometres in length, will be completed within the first quarter of 2027 and passenger operations will extend to Okokomaiko shortly after.
The statement further reads “The six train sets, which have scaled the factory acceptance test hurdle, are scheduled for shipment to Lagos from China.
“The addition of the train sets to the Blue Line rolling stock will increase the number of train trips along the corridor and will be deployed for passenger operation to Okokomaiko when phase two of the Blue Line is completed.
“The completion of infrastructure for the first phase of the Blue Line, a 13-kilometre rail route from Marina to Mile 2, was launched by former President Muhammadu Buhari on 23 January 2023 and passenger operation opened on 4th September 2023 by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.”
