February 29, (THEWILL) – President Bola Tinubu on Thursday, in Lagos, inaugurated the 37 kilometres Red Line rail system
The President had flown into the state on Wednesday, for the event. He arrived at the venue, Ikeja Train Station, at exactly 12:10 pm for the official commissioning.
The train is the first phase of the project, which will run from Agbado in Ogun state to Marina with 13 stations at Agbado, Iju, Agege, Ikeja, MMIA International, MMIA Domestic, Oshodi, Mushin, Yaba, Ebute meta, Iddo, Ebute Ero and Marina.
When fully operational, it will run 37 trips and convey about 500,000 passengers daily.
With the commissioning, It brings in two rail lines, owned and operated by the Lagos State Government. The first is the Blue Line, which runs from Marina to Mile 2, which is the first phase.
Unlike the electric-powered Blue Line, the Red Line will utilise a diesel-powered system known as Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU). The Blue Line opened on September 4, 2023.
The rail system is managed by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA)
Initial estimates of the Red Line project were pegged at the cost of $135 million, under the Greater Lagos Urban Transportation Project. However, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said both the Blue and Red Lines combined would exceed N100 billion. The construction of the project was handled by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).
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