The much-anticipated Lagos Red Line Rail has officially commenced full operations. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu led the launch event, joined by members of his cabinet and other dignitaries.
To mark the occasion, a ceremonial ride was conducted with commuters on the first fare-paying journey. This symbolic event signified the official start of regular commercial services on the new rail line. The inaugural train journey took passengers from Oyingbo Station to Agbado Station.
The Governor issued a stern warning against vandalism on the newly launched Lagos Red Line Rail. He expressed his frustration and confusion over the motivation behind such acts.
“When you say vandalism, somebody wants to come and steal this chair and take it to where? Why would you want to remove the chair or the glass? It’s not an infrastructure you can use anywhere.
“There’s absolutely no basis. These are public assets and everybody has the right to protect it,” Sanwo-Olu said.
Also on the commencement of the train operation, Sanwo-Olu in a statement, said, “We’re on a mission to keep Lagos moving, and the Red Line is a key part of our vision to create a seamlessly connected city. It is also our second rail system to become operational in less than two years.”
The Lagos Red Line Rail extends across 27 kilometers, connecting eight stations: Oyingbo, Yaba, Mushin, Oshodi, Ikeja, Agege, Iju, and Agbado. This new transportation system is expected to serve approximately 500,000 Lagosians daily.
Commuters will use the Lagos Cowry Card for payment, and the fares have been announced by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority. The cost of traveling from Agege to Ikeja is N500. Other fares include: Agbado-Iju to Agege (N500), Agege to Oshodi (N1,000), Agege to Mushin (N1,000), Agege – Yaba (N1,000), Agege – Oyingbo (N1,000); Ikeja – Oshodi (N500), Oshodi – Mushin (N500), Mushin – Yaba (N500), Yaba – Oyingbo (N500), and Agbado – Oyingbo (N1,500).
