August 30 (THEWILL) – The Lagos State Government says it would commence passenger operations on the Blue Line Rail on Monday, September 4.
Managing Director, Lagos State Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Mrs Abimbola Akinajo, made this known on Wednesday, at Marina, during a press briefing and test running of the train with newsmen.
Akinajo said with feasibility study, the train system would be conveying 175,000 passengers on a daily basis.
She said that though the commercial operations would have begun in the first quarter of 2023, it was delayed to ensure that all modalities were in place.
”As you know, the first phase of the blue line was commissioned. The infrastructure completion was commissioned by Mr President (Former President, Muhammadu Buhari) in December.
”At the time, we had said to you we would start operations in March. Unfortunately, we did not by the end of the first quarter, then it was by the end of the second quarter. Unfortunately, we had hiccups with power delivery.
”We are here to say that we are completely ready in terms of all operational infrastructure. The reason that we have been delayed is due to the fact that our power provision was delayed.
”So, we are here to say that we are going to start commercial operations in all of the time that we have completed the civil infrastructure.
”So, from that perspective, we have been very meticulous in ensuring that all the issues are dealt with, including the provision of the power, health and safety, operational modalities, to ensure the safety of all of our passengers.” she said, adding that LAMATA had constantly been carrying passengers because it was testing to ensure that the interface between the infrastructure and all of the works that had been done was sinking excellently well.
Akinajo said that on Sept. 4, commercial operations would begin by 9:00 a.m., with Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State as the first passenger.
She, however, added that after Monday, the rail operations would begin by 6:30 a.m till 10:00 p.m on a daily basis.
The LAMATA boss said that the train service, which would run from Mile 2 to Marina, would run 12 trips on a daily basis for a period of two weeks, and the service would gradually increase.
”We will be stopping at every station. So, this is a terminal station, Mile 2 is a terminal station. At Marina and Mile 2, the trains will be stopping for no more than five minutes. This is a metro service. So, this is not one that you can be wandering to come on.
”We will be working according to a timetable. That timetable will be available on LAMATA’s website, and that timetable will also be available at every station.
“When the train gets into any station, it will stop for no more than 90 seconds. So, you need to know, and this is it, for us to understand that it is a scheduled service,” she said, adding that the Blue Line Rail service had five stations, which comprise Marina, National Theatre, Orile-Iganmu, Alaba, and Mile 2.
Akinajo urged passengers to get their cowry cards ready and top them up for the train service, as that was the means of payment for its use.
She said after four weeks of commencement, the train trips would increase to 30 trips.
The LAMATA boss urged passengers not to pass through the track for their safety, as they were energised.
She said that the Commissioner of Police had deployed police officers to work with them, adding that passengers must not drink or eat on the train.
Akinajo also said the train fare was N750 from Marina to Mile 2, N500 from Marina to National Theatre and N400 to Iganmu-Orile.
He said considering the palliative introduced to the transport sector through the Governor, passengers would pay N375 from Mile 2 to Marina.
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