In 2003, then-governor, but now President, Senator Bola Tinubu, established Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) to coordinate and oversee transport policies and programs in Lagos State, and to deliver an intermodal, integrated transport system, one that would allow the seamless movement of people and fuel the economic growth of the state.

The first pillar of incumbent Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration’s T.H.E.M.E.S.+ governing agenda is Traffic Management and Transportation. Speaking at the inauguration of Red Line rail earlier this year, Sanwo-Olu noted that the state has a Strategic Transport Master Plan (STMP) that outlines what that integrated rail system should look like: Six rail lines, one monorail, 14 Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, corridors, over 20 water routes, and a vast network of major and inner roads.

For the first time in the history of Lagos, there is a system comprising of and integrating all three modes of transportation: road (through the BRT system), rail (through the Lagos Rail Mass Transit) and water (through statewide Ferry System).

President Tinubu, on February 29, 2024, Thursday precisely, inaugurated the first phase of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit, LRMT, Red Line, a 37km project expected to reduce travel time and improve transportation and logistics in the state.

The President and Sanwo-Olu witnessed the signing of the contract for Phase 2 of the LRMT Red Line project by the Managing Director of LAMATA, Abimbola Akinajo, and the Chairman of CCECC Nigeria Limited, Jason Zhang.

The President, before departing for a state visit to Qatar, embarked on an inaugural train ride from the Ikeja Station to the Agege Station, accompanied by Sanwo-Olu; Deputy Governor of the State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; some state governors; members of the Federal and State Executive Councils; members of the Federal and State Legislative Assemblies; Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Cui Jianchun, and a select group of journalists.

Addressing a gathering of Nigerians at the train station in Ikeja, Tinubu directed the Minister of Transportation, Senator Sa’idu Alkali, to ensure that the federal and subnational governments strengthen their collaboration to provide reliable, efficient, and affordable transportation systems for all Nigerians across the country.

He commended LAMATA for its exemplary performance and implored the body to sustain the momentum in completing all other phases of the Red Line project, as well as the full execution of the broader rail blueprint of the state.

Red Line Features

The rail-line, which stretches over a distance of 27 kilometres, has eight stations from Agbado in Ogun State to Lagos State – Iju, Agege, Ikeja, Oshodi, Mushin, and Yaba, before terminating at Oyingbo.

There are10 vehicular overpasses and pedestrian bridges, separating train traffic from vehicular and pedestrian flows constructed to ensure the smooth operation of the rail line and safety for commuters.

The Red Line is a substantial investment in Lagos’ urban transportation infrastructure with initial estimated cost, pegged at $135 million under the “Greater Lagos Urban Transportation Project.”

But with high expectations of the citizenry for the eventual take-off of operations following inauguration in February, 2024, residents, five months after, may still have to wait a little while for the much expected Red Line due to logistic challenge, among others.

As of press time, Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, could not be reached for comment after several attempts.

However, Head, Corporate Communication, LAMATA, Kolawole Ojelabi,when contacted, explained why the operation of the Red Line is being delayed.

Ojelabi said, “We need to make a distinction between infrastructure commissioning and passenger operations.

“We are working with the Nigeria Railway Corporation on operations. Soon we will make available the timeline for operations.” (Sunday Vanguard)

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