The Lagos State Government has taken a significant step to enhance urban mobility by receiving three new train sets, each with four coaches, for the electric-powered Blue Line Rail project. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced the arrival of the 12 new coaches on Thursday via his official X account, highlighting that the additional trains will reduce wait times and improve comfort for commuters.
The new train sets, shipped from China, are part of a broader plan by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) to expand and optimize the rail service. Earlier in January 2025, six train sets intended for both the Blue and Red Lines passed factory acceptance tests and were scheduled for shipment to Lagos.
Governor Sanwo-Olu also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to completing the Blue Line extension from Mile 2 to Okokomaiko by 2026. This extension is expected to significantly improve daily commutes for Lagosians, with six new stations planned along the route, including Festac, Alakija, and LASU.
Since its launch in September 2023, the Blue Line has transported over two million passengers, demonstrating its growing role in easing Lagos traffic congestion. The rail line currently runs a 13-kilometre stretch from Marina to Mile 2, featuring five stations. Daily trips have increased from 54 to 72, with plans to further reduce train intervals to as little as five minutes as new coaches arrive.
Commuters have praised the Blue Line for its comfort, speed, and reliability despite higher fares compared to buses. However, rush-hour crowding remains a challenge, prompting LAMATA to enhance service frequency and station facilities. The rail system also features clean carriages, security patrols, and accessibility measures for people with disabilities.
The Lagos Blue Line Rail project, constructed and operated by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), represents a milestone in Lagos’s efforts to modernize public transport through integrated, sustainable infrastructure funded from the state’s internally generated revenue.
