New North-South Rail Route Expected to Revolutionize Transportation in Lagos
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu inaugurated the highly anticipated 37-kilometer Lagos Red Line train project on Thursday, marking a significant milestone in the city’s transportation infrastructure.
The Red Line, spanning from Agbado in Ogun state to Marina, boasts 13 stations strategically located at key points including Agbado, Iju, Agege, Ikeja, MMIA International, MMIA Domestic, Oshodi, Mushin, Yaba, Ebute Meta, Iddo, Ebute Ero, and Marina. It is poised to facilitate an impressive 37 daily trips, catering to an estimated 500,000 passengers.
Distinguished from its electric-powered counterpart, the Blue Line, the Red Line operates on a diesel-powered system known as Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU). While the Blue Line commenced operations on September 4, 2023, the Red Line promises a dynamic addition to Lagos’ transportation network.
Managed by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), the Red Line project was initially estimated to cost $135 million under the Greater Lagos Urban Transportation Project. However, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu revealed that the combined cost of both the Blue and Red Lines would surpass N100 billion. The construction of the project was expertly handled by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).
The concept of establishing rapid transit in Lagos traces back to 1983, with the inception of the Lagos Metroline network conceived by Alhaji Lateef Jakande during the Second Nigerian Republic. Unfortunately, the initial Metroline project faced termination in 1985 by Muhammadu Buhari, incurring a substantial loss of over $78 million to state taxpayers.
Nonetheless, in 2003, the visionary leadership of then-Governor Bola Tinubu revived the rail network for Lagos State with a resolute announcement of its construction.
Following the successful commissioning, President Tinubu is scheduled to embark on a two-day official visit to the State of Qatar, graciously invited by His Highness, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar.
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