The Lagos State Government has announced plans to take delivery of six additional train sets from China to enhance its rail mass transit system.
This was disclosed on Thursday by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA).
According to the agency, the train sets have successfully passed the factory acceptance tests and are now scheduled for shipment to Lagos.
“Six additional train sets will be in Lagos very soon to strengthen the capacity of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue and Red Lines to deliver value to commuters and thereby increase the economic viability of the state.
“The six train sets, which have scaled the factory acceptance test hurdle, are scheduled for shipment to Lagos from China.
“The addition of the train sets to the Blue Line rolling stock will increase the number of train trips along the corridor and will be deployed for passenger operation to Okokomaiko when phase two of the Blue Line is completed,” LAMATA said in a statement.
Phase two of the Blue Line, a 14-kilometer extension from Mile 2 to Okokomaiko, is projected to be completed by the first quarter of 2027.
Passenger services to Okokomaiko will commence shortly after the project’s completion. Currently, this phase has achieved approximately 30 per cent completion.
The first phase of the Blue Line, a 13-kilometer rail route from Marina to Mile 2, was inaugurated by former President Muhammadu Buhari on January 23, 2023. Passenger operations commenced on September 4, 2023, under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The Blue Line currently runs 72 trips per day and with the procurement of three additional rolling stocks, the trips are expected to increase.