Lagos state government halts Red Line rail operations indefinitely after 2 months

Operations of the Red Line Mass Transit Train Service (LRMT) have been suspended until further notice by the Lagos State Government. Information gathered stated that the train service had a mechanical failure during its morning belt last week Monday.

Recall that the Red Line service was commissioned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on February 29 and commenced operation eight months later on October 15. The service took off with two services in the morning and two at evening peaks, resulting in four shuttles per day.

Prior to the suspension, operators of the Red Line had in a chat posted on the LRMT WhatsApp channel last Monday stated that the break would affect only the morning belt, while the afternoon belt would still be in operation.

“Please note that only the 5:20 pm and 6:50 pm train from Oyingbo and 6:40 pm train from Agbado will run today,” stated on the WhatsApp channel, which has now been deleted by the operator last Friday.

Also on Tuesday night, the operator confirmed the Red Line service was not able to operate as promised when it sent the chat. “We sincerely apologize for the cancellation of service this evening, which was due to mechanical faults. Kindly note that the train will not be operating tomorrow and until further notice. We deeply regret this situation.”

In addition, sources had it that the train, during its mechanical issues before the suspension, had been running below its optimal carriage capacity. Many passengers have complained about the exorbitant price of N1,500 per trip from Oyingbo-Agbado or from Agbado-Oyingbo. The narrow-gauge train operated by the Nigerian Railway Corporation on the same corridor for the same trip costs N750.

While the operator, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), is yet to make an official statement on the suspension and as to when the Red Line Rail operation is expected to resume operations, commuters who have benefited from its services will now source for alternatives.

Throwback to the Red Line Rail launch

Following its flag-off for operation on October 15 by the State Governor – Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Red Line commenced operation on its 27km first phase which was operated by First Metro under the guidance of the LAMATA. The first phase of the Red Line covers 27 eight stations at Oyingbo, Yaba, Mushin, Oshodi, Ikeja, Agege, Iju, and Agbado.

The Red Line operates daily passenger services, with the first train departing from Agbado at 6:00 AM and the second leaving Iju Station at 7:30 AM. The Red Line operates under a track-sharing agreement with the Nigerian Railway Corporation, sharing tracks with the Lagos-Ibadan route—a partnership established during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

The service was projected to run 20 daily trips and transport about 500,000 passengers daily while it will serve about 1.5 million daily at the completion of the second phase. The next phase will see the service terminate at Onikan, from where it will join the state’s premier mass transit – the Lagos Blue Line.

The Governor while launching the Red Line operation assured Lagosians of timely service on the train and that their travel time would be reduced to the range of 30 to 45 minutes end-to-end. Sanwo-Olu added that the state government will commit its resources to meeting commuters’ demands by increasing the Red Line Rail services.

“Today marks the launch of commercial operations of the LMRT Red Line, commencing passenger services from Agbado to Oyingbo,” the governor said. “We are on a mission to keep Lagos moving, and the Red Line is a key part of our vision to create a seamlessly connected city. This is also our second rail system to become operational in less than two years,” he said in October.

A trial run was conducted on the Red Line from September to October, in accordance with the requirement by the regulator, Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC). This presented the operator, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), with the requisite licenses to operate the two metro lines.

Likewise, the governor encouraged residents to have their Cowry Cards ready for boarding, pointing out that the Red Line is an initiative meant to benefit all. “Just as with the Blue Line and other public infrastructure, remember that this project belongs to all of us. Let’s treat it with the respect it deserves,” he said.

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