The Lagos State Government, through the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), has launched six rail systems in an effort to address the longstanding traffic situation in Lagos State. This has made it difficult for people to move around the city easily. These rail systems are named after primary colours, namely the Blue Line, Green Line, Purple Line, Red Line, Yellow Line, and Orange Line. Each of these rail lines has various routes within the city to facilitate easy movement.
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Jubril Gawat, a senior aide to the governor, announced on Twitter that the first phase of infrastructure projects from Marina to Mile 2 was completed and inaugurated on Wednesday.
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Lagos State Train Routes
The Blue rail line will begin with the first phase spanning from Marina to Mile 2, boasting five stations: Marina, National Theatre, Iganmu, Alaba, and Orile. LAMATA is promising a journey of just 15 minutes between Marina and Mile 2, a route that typically takes over an hour. For now, LAMATA is promising 12 trips per day but is expected to expand to 76 daily trips, running from 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. The schedule will initially feature two peak hours: 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., with 90-second stops at each station.
How much are the train rides
Currently, LAMATA has retained the 50% discount on all Lagos public transportation rides on the Blue rail train line at the moment and the pricing can change at any time.
| Station | Destination | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Marina | Mile 2 | N750 |
| Mile 2 | National Theatre | N500 |
| Mile 2 | Iganmu | N400 |
| Mile 2 | Alaba | N200 |
| Alaba | Iganmu | N200 |
| Alaba | National Theatre | N400 |
| Iganmu | National Theatre | N200 |
| National Theatre | Marina | N500 |
Highs of Using the Blue Line Rail System
Some of the high points of using the Blue Line rail system include:
- It’s Very Comfortable
Compared to the Lagos Danfo buses, the comfort in the Blue Line rail system is described by users as “top-notch.” The interior areas of the train are equipped with comfortable seats, televisions, and a cooling system that’s currently functional. Given the comfortability of the train, Lagosians going through their various destinations get to enjoy some comfort and ease, unlike the bustle of entering a Danfo Bus.
- It’s Very Fast
Remember, all rail system have their various destinations. It means that if you’re using the Blue Line rail system, your destination is within the Ojo area of Lagos, Festac, Amuwo-Odofin, and Mile 2. Given that, the train gets you to your destination within 15 minutes of taking off.
- Pleasurable Ride
The days of struggling inside public buses are almost over for Lagosians, as the Blue Line train has been described as pleasurable. Since passengers will be getting to their destinations by train, they get to take advantage of pleasurable views like the Apongbon end of the Third Mainland Bridge, the Lagos Lagoon, and the National Theater in Iganmu. Sights that can only be spotted while travelling in a plane.
Lows of Using the Blue Line Rail System
While the highs of using the Blue Line rail system are already enough to convince any Lagosian to start using the rail system, it’s important to get the full picture before undertaking that adventure.
Here are some of the lows you’ll realize through using the Blue Line rail system.
- Overcrowded Carriage
The major low point of the Blue Line rail system is that it’s already overcrowded by Lagosians trying to take advantage of the 50% slash in state-controlled means of transportation. As such, for a trip that would cost N700, many Lagosians are eager to take advantage of the price slash and get to their destination for only N350. As such, the crowd boarding the train abounds.
- Far from Bus Stops
Although commuters will enjoy the chance of getting to their destination within 15 minutes of the train take-off. The challenge lies in the amount of distance commuters will have to trek to get to the nearest bus stop after alighting from the train.
For instance, the location of the Marina Terminal of the Lagos Blue Line is about 20 20-minute walk to the CMS bus stop. Speaking to a publication, a Lagosian named Tochukwu said: “It’s more stressful when you have just closed from work and you are so tired. Sometimes, I take a commercial bus home depending on how tired I am. The Terminal is a little bit a distance from CMS. Walking down that distance can be discouraging sometimes. In the morning, if you have got company, it’s easier, but in the evening, walking there alone without company from Marina can be tiring.”
- Lack of Bus Stops in Some Areas
Another issue with the Blue Line is that it only has bus stops in strategic locations. This publication noted that passengers going through the Leventis or Apongbon area of Lagos should not bother using the Blue Line as it doesn’t have bus stops in these areas yet. The train’s first stop is the National Theatre while the last stop is the Marina Terminal.
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