The Lagos State Government, led by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has announced the temporary shutdown of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue Line from Saturday, October 14 to Sunday, October 15, 2023.
This decision was conveyed in a statement issued by the Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Engr. Mrs. Abimbola Akinajo, on Wednesday.
The purpose of this shutdown is to facilitate the complete transition to electricity as the power source for the rail system. The changeover is a significant step in the development of the rail network in Lagos.
Starting from Monday, October 16, 2023, the number of train trips on the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue Line will be substantially increased, going from 12 trips to 54 and eventually to 74 trips.
Akinajo’s statement explained that suspending passenger operations during this transition is a common practice worldwide, done to ensure passenger safety during major changes like the one being carried out over the weekend. This transition to electricity is expected to enable the introduction of more train trips and the capacity to transport a greater number of passengers.
The statement also mentioned that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu inaugurated passenger operations on the first phase of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue Line on September 4, 2023, and it has already served over 80,000 passengers. It is projected that the daily passenger movement between Marina and Mile 2 will increase to surpass 150,000 passengers in the coming months, further enhancing the city’s transportation infrastructure.