Lagos Rail Mass Transit is a rapid transit system in Lagos State. The rail system is managed by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA).[1] The railway equipment including electric power, signals, rolling stock, and fare collection equipment will be provided by the private sector under a concession contract. LAMATA is responsible for policy direction, regulation, and infrastructure for the network. The first section of the network, Phase I of the Blue Line, was originally planned to be completed in 2011, though the construction has suffered many delays caused by shortage of funds and change of government. The Blue Line opened on September 4, 2023 and the Red Line opened on February 29, 2024.[2][3][4]
On January 24, 2023, President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated the first phase of the Lagos Mass Transit Blue Line Rail Project.[6]
On September 4, 2023, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu officially opened the Blue Rail transit for public use.[7]
At the beginning of 2024, it was announced that the Lagos suburban railway had transported 583,000 passengers in its first four months. This would make it the largest inner-city rail service provider in Africa.[8][9]
On 14 February 2024, Governor Sanwo-Olu announced that the Red Line between Agbado and Oyingbo would be inaugurated on 29 February 2024 in the presence of Nigerian President Tinubu.[10]
The idea of developing a rapid transit in Lagos state dates back to 1983 with the Lagos Metroline network conceived by Alhaji Lateef Jakande during the Second Nigerian Republic.[11][12][13][14] The initial Metroline project was scrapped in 1985 by Muhammadu Buhari at a loss of over $78 million to the state tax payers.[15] In 2003, the then-governor Bola Tinubu revived the rail network for Lagos State with a formal announcement of its construction.[16] The initial cost $135 million was proposed for the greater Lagos Urban Transportation Project to be implemented by the newly formed LAMATA.[16] LAMATA initially concentrated on developing a Bus Rapid Transit system, running from Mile 2 to Lagos Island. In 2008, LAMATA began focusing on the Blue Line and the Red Line.
In September 2011, LAMATA announced that it would acquire some H5-series subway trains formerly used by the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC). The cars were to be refurbished in the United States and converted to standard gauge before being imported and put into service on the Blue and Red lines. The same contract also included an option for some H6-series subway cars from the TTC, however this has since been cancelled.[17][18][19][20]
In January 2015, LAMATA opted for Chinese-built trains instead, ordering 15 electro-diesel multiple units from CRRC Dalian with an option for 14 more.[21] About 76 H5 cars that had been taken for refurbishment to Buffalo, New York, have been scrapped by August 2015.[22]
Working principle of the "Pendular" cars (green: gravity, red: centrifugal force in curve, blue: resulting force)
In August 2018, LAMATA signed an agreement with Alstom. As a part of the agreement, Alstom conducted a review of the rail lines, and electrification of a portion of the track was planned.[23]
In January 2022, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu visited the US state of Wisconsin, to purchase two Talgo VIII trainsets for service on the Red Line.[24][25] They had been ordered by Wisconsin for use on the AmtrakHiawatha Service in 2009, but they were never placed in service, and were instead stored.[26] Talgo VIII cars are based on the unique technology of the Talgo Pendular model, which (similar to a bicycle rider) leans into a curve resulting in less sideways force and a higher comfort for passengers when driving over a curvy track.[27][28] The "leaning" of the car is passive i.e. it happens purely by the resulting force, without electronics, sensors or engines.
Routes
[edit]Blue line, red line, railway stations and airport
The Blue Line is the first line in the system and opened its first five stations on 4 September 2023.[29] The entire planned route is 27 kilometres (17 mi) from OkokomaikotoLagos Marina.[30][31] Construction had been delayed due to lack of funds and was split into multiple phases.[30]
The second line, the Red Line, will run from Marina to Agbado. The line will share the right-of-way with the Lagos–Kano Standard Gauge Railway.[32] Construction on the line is ongoing. In September 2023, Governor Sanwo-Olu assured residents the line was 95% complete and would be finished by the end of the year.[33] Service started in February 2024.[3] Like the Blue Line, this line was constructed by CCECC.[5]
