Lagos Blue Line Metro Rail Commences Operation

Segun James

The Lagos Blue Line metro rail system has commenced operation with services from Lagos Marina to Mile Two.

The state Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was among the first passengers who rode on the 09.00 am service to Mile Two.

An elated Sanwo-Olu on Monday said that the jinx has finally been broken as the first commercial service of the Blue Line train began operation.

The governor, who arrived the Marina Station at 8:57am, took time to give instructions to hundreds of residents who were awaiting his arrival to have the experience of the maiden edition of the commercial ride.

Some of the dignitaries, who accompanied the governor on the first trip, included the Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Kadri Hamzat; former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji; Senator Musiliu Obanikoro and members of the National Assembly from Lagos, among others.

The train departed Marina Station at 9:13am and arrived at National Theatre 9:21am.

Thereafter, it arrived at Iganmu Station 9:29am, left at 9:30am, got to Alaba Station 9:35am and departed by 9:36am.

The train arrived the Mile 2 Station terminal 9:39am, indicating that the journey took less than 30 minutes from the departure to arrival.

Thereafter, the train proceeded on a return journey and got back to Marina 10:15am.

Arriving back at Marina, Sanwo-Olu addressed journalists, saying the glory of the successful completion of the Blue Line mass transit train would be accorded to President Bola Tinubu.

According to him, as the governor of Lagos State, President Tinubu’s vision with the creation of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) led to the feat being celebrated.

Sanwo-Olu said: “We have just completed the return journey. We are back in Marina from Mile 2 Station. About 700 of us have just completed the first commercial journey. 

“We have seen that indeed we can do the very best in our environment. I’m excited with LAMATA and other stakeholders that have done this.

“I was at the head of the train operation to ensure simple safety. How passengers embark on the train. Those on the train disembarked before new set of passengers came in, all of these were complied with. 

“Let’s commend all of our leaders who have kept faith including members of the National Assembly. We should appreciate the president who started the vision of this great day, the creation of LAMATA in 2004. The masterplan infrastructure, we need to acknowledge him and we believe what he has done in Lagos he should do it for the country.”

Sanwo-Olu also hinted that aside the cowry card, Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA) card could also be used to embark on the train.

He therefore urged residents in the state to get registered so that it could be used alternatively.

One of the students, who had the privilege of joining the trip, expressed delight over the experience.

An SS3 student, Aisha Saka from Eko Akete Senior Grammar School, Campell Street, Lagos Island, who was experiencing train journey for the first time, commended the state governor for the initiative.

She said: “The journey is fantastic and awesome. I had never been on a train before. I feel great.”