By Demilade Adeniyi
Lagos State Government on Monday started the test-run of the 13 km Lagos Blue Line Rail Service train.
Sunrise News recalled the rail was inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari on January 24, 2023.
A cream of Nigerians, made up of seasoned academia, top government functionaries, journalists, University of Lagos teachers and their students and heads of agencies under the Ministry of Transportation, among others witnessed the flag-off of train system at the Marina Train Station, Lagos.
Leading the inauguration of the train service the Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority, Engr Abimbola Akinajo said the test-run would be carried out over twice weekly, over the next two months, and open for Lagosians from all walks of life to board the train and have a feel of its comfort.
According to her, market men and women, artisans, students, members of the media, and other professionals are being invited, adding soon, LAMATA would ask any Nigerians who wish to ride on the train to send in their email address and they in turn would be communicated when they would be able to board the train.
Akinajo who was excited that the Deputy speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon Wasiu Eshinlokun, the All Progressives Congress Lagos Central Senatorial candidate said Lagosians are excited that finally the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has delivered on the Lagos Blue Line Train Service.
She said: “We are going to embark on this test run for between two to three three months, because rail transport are not as direct as you have the bus system, there are a lot of things that are involved and all these we must ensure we in top shape before we begin commercial operation.
“We expect during these test run to have feedbacks from all categories of people, University students, primary school kids, secondary school children, and the last two weeks preceeding the commercial operation, we would put our request for anyone to register their interest to get on the train. There will come a time where we would be the one inviting Lagosians to come onboard,” Akinajo said.
Speaking on the capacity to accommodate a surge when commercial operation eventually starts, the LAMATA Boss said the automatic processing unit can process 250 passengers every minute, adding that the schedule was to have a train position to run every three minutes, adding that capacity would continue to be met by the government based on the surge in demand.
She said for the first phase, the Blue light train would be able to carry between 200,000 to 250,000 passengers a day, based on the availability of rolling stock, addi g that right now, the government has purchased three rolling stocks, while another six may be purchased when the second phase is completed by the government.
“Operations would run from 5.30am to 11pm everyday. The system is designed to run one train in three minutes, during rush hours we will pull more trains, while during off peak periods we would pull off the operation.”
On the fare, she explained that the government is still working on the template that would make the train affordable to the people, based on what is goi g on right now, adding that though the fare has not been set by the government, but when it eventually did, govetnment would ensure it reflects the prevailing circumstances and make it affordable and friendly, but the people must also realise that there must be a minimum operational cost.
Also speaking the Permanent Secretary Lagos State Ministry of Transportation Engr Abdulhafiz Toriola said the government is excited that it eventually delivered on the Blue line train, while the red line is also on stream and would be delivered anytime soon.
Toriola said the efforts and priority of the government is to decongest the roads and allow other modes of transportation to have equitable share of the transportation needs of the people of Lagos. He said all these are in line with the Lagos State Transportation Master plan and the government will continue to ensure that it puts an eye at ensuring the sustainability of the train systems in the interest of the people.
The Managing Director of Lagos Bus Services Limited, Mr Idowu Oguntola, said he was excited to be on the train, adding that he could see the huge opportunity that lies ahead for Lagosians, when the Blue and Red lines eventually come on stream.
He said he is already looking forward to how the Lagos Buses would partner in the huge prospects ahead in the interest of the people to make mobility a lot easier and reduce traffic congestion.
The General Manager, Lagos State Waterways Authority, LASWA, Mr Emmanuel praised the foresight of the state government to come up with the integration of all modes of transportation in which Lagos State has comparative advantage. He said LASWA and LAGFERRY is poised to exploit the interchange opportunities for the benefit of the people.
The lawmaker representing Lagos Island and Senatorial hopeful for Lagos Central Esinlokun-Sanni, said the Blue Line train will help improve shuttle time of the people from the Mile2 axis into the Lagos Island. He saluted the dreams of the founding fathers of the state, especially that of the Presidential candidate of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu whose team,.conceptualised the train system and his successors for working on the dream to bring them into reality.
Prof. Iyiola Oni, Director of the Institute of Transportation, University of Lagos who was also on the train was excited that the Sanwo-Olu administration delivered on the Blue line train despite the shoe-string budget within which it operated.
He said the new train system, and the Red line.yhat would be inaugurated shortly would be a catalyst for improved economy of the state, and help improve on travel pattern as transportation can be redistributed equitably to all modes land, water thereby relieving the road of the burden it presently carries.