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Lagos Rail Mass Transit

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Lagos Rail Mass Transit
Overview
OwnerLagos State (Managed by Eko Rail under Concession Agreement)
LocaleLagos State
Transit typeRapid transit (Blue Line) Commuter rail (Red Line)
Number of lines2
5 (proposed)
Number of stations22
Operation
Began operationSeptember 4, 2023; 15 months ago (September 4, 2023)
Operator(s)Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA)
Number of vehicles15 four-car BMU CNR Dalian for Blue Line
Technical
System length35 km (22 mi) (planned)
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) Standard Gauge
ElectrificationBlue Line:
750 V DC third rail
Red Line:
1500 V DC overhead catenary (planned)

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]

Timeline

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  • 2008: A metro is proposed for Lagos, with a completion date of 2011.
  • 2009: Work commenced for construction of the Blue Line rail infrastructure, awarded to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) as a design and build contract.[1]
  • 2016: Phase I (the Blue Line from Marina to Mile 2) planned to open in December 2016.
  • 2018: After an Alstom review of the project, Phase I (the Blue Line from Marina to Mile 2) is now set to open in 2021.
  • 2021: CCECC commences construction on the Red Line.[5]
  • January 2022: LAMATA purchases two Talgo VIII trains.
  • 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]
  • On October 15, 2024, the first section of the Red Line opens to the public.[11]

History

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A station of the system under construction

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.[12][13][14][15] The initial Metroline project was scrapped in 1985 by Muhammadu Buhari at a loss of over $78 million to the state tax payers.[16] In 2003, the then-governor Bola Tinubu revived the rail network for Lagos State with a formal announcement of its construction.[17] The initial cost $135 million was proposed for the greater Lagos Urban Transportation Project to be implemented by the newly formed LAMATA.[17] 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.

Rolling stock

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"Talgo VIII" (or "Talgo 8") train. Example pictured is from Amtrak Cascades

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.[18][19][20][21]

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.[22] About 76 H5 cars that had been taken for refurbishment to Buffalo, New York, have been scrapped by August 2015.[23]

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.[24]

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.[25][26] They had been ordered by Wisconsin for use on the Amtrak Hiawatha in 2009, but they were never placed in service, and were instead stored.[27] 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.[28][29] The "leaning" of the car is passive i.e. it happens purely by the resulting force, without electronics, sensors or engines.

In 2023, LAMATA bought 11 Class 43 locomotives and 11 Mark 3 coaches from the UK.[30][31] Some of the class 43s will be used to haul rakes of the mark 3 coaches, while others will be used to haul the Talgo rakes.

Routes

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Blue line, red line, railway stations and airport

Blue Line: Okokomaiko - Marina

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Main article: Blue Line (Lagos)

The Blue Line is the first line in the system and opened its first five stations on 4 September 2023.[32] The entire planned route is 27 kilometres (17 mi) from Okokomaiko to Lagos Marina.[33][34] Construction had been delayed due to lack of funds and was split into multiple phases.[33]

Red Line: Agbado - Marina

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The second line, the Red Line, will run from Marina to Agbado. The line shares the right-of-way with the Lagos–Kano Standard Gauge Railway.[35] Like the Blue Line, construction of the Red Line has been split into multiple phases. Once all sections are completed, the line will reach a length of 37 km.[11] Like the Blue Line, this line is being constructed by CCECC.[5]

In September 2023, Governor Sanwo-Olu assured residents that the first phase of the line was 95% complete and would be finished by the end of the year.[36] A ceremonial inauguration was held in February 2024,[3] but regular passenger service from Agbado to Oyingbo started only on October 15, 2024.[37] This first phase is 27 km in length and has 8 stations. Construction of the second phase, which will extend the line to Marina Station and connected it to the Blue Line, is currently ongoing.[11]

Airport branch

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The Airport Branch of the Red Line is intended to run from Ikeja to MMIA International Terminal.[38]

Green Line: Marina - Lekki Free Trade Zone (Airport) (Planned)

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The planned third line, the Green Line, will run 68 km from Marina to the Lekki Free Trade Zone, with a connection to the Blue Line at Marina. It will serve key areas, including Victoria Island, Lekki and Ajah. On 6 September, 2024, the Lagos state government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) and the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) to initiate construction, with the two companies leading on design, financing, and operation of the Green Line.[39]

Other planned routes

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Lagos Rail Mass Transit". Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority. 2015. Archived from the original on December 1, 2016. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
  2. ^ Bolaji, Samuel (August 31, 2023). "Lagos Blue Line rail begins operations September 4". Punch Nigeria. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  3. ^ a b Bassey, Joshua (November 2, 2023). "Red Line rail for test run ahead roll out 2024 — Sanwo-Olu". Businessday NG. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  4. ^ "Lagos Opens Second Rail Line to Ease the World's Worst Traffic". Bloomberg.com. February 29, 2024. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  5. ^ a b pamela (May 3, 2021). "Construction works launched for Lagos MRT Red Line". Railway PRO. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  6. ^ "President Buhari inaugurates 13-km Lagos Mass Transit Blue Line Rail". National Accord Newspaper. January 25, 2023. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  7. ^ "Sanwo-Olu rides as Lagos blue line rail begins operations". September 3, 2023.
  8. ^ "Iamgbolahan - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
  9. ^ Rohde, Michael. "World Metro Database - metrobits.org". mic-ro.com. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
  10. ^ Akoni, Olasunkanmi (February 14, 2024). "Lagos: Tinubu to inaugurate Red Line Rail project Feb 29". Vanguard. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  11. ^ a b c "Rail passenger services begin on the new suburban Red Line in Lagos". Railway Supply. October 24, 2024. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  12. ^ Gbenga Salau (July 26, 2016). "30 years after… Lagos Metroline still work in progress". The Guardian.
  13. ^ Bola A. Akinterinwa (1999). Nigeria and France, 1960-1995: The Dilemma of Thirty-five Years of Relationship. Indiana University (Vantage). p. 160.
  14. ^ Ayodeji Olukoju (2003). Infrastructure development and urban facilities in Lagos, 1861-2000 Volume 15 of Occasional publication. Institut français de recherche en Afrique, University of Ibadan. ISBN 978-9-788-0250-54.
  15. ^ "Turning Lagos Into a Megacity". PM News. April 14, 2004.
  16. ^ Farukanmi, Olorunnimbe (January 24, 2003). "Battle of Generals". Vanguard.
  17. ^ a b Momodu, Shaka (December 3, 2003). "Lagos Launches $135m Rail System". This Day.
  18. ^ Kalinowski, Tess (September 6, 2011). "TTC subway cars bound for Nigeria". Toronto Star. Retrieved December 5, 2012.
  19. ^ "Eko Rail's Trains Begin Journey to Lagos". PR Newswire. September 27, 2011. Retrieved December 5, 2012.
  20. ^ "Report on sales of surplus assets" (PDF). Toronto Transit Commission. May 28, 2009. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  21. ^ "First subway cars leave Toronto for Lagos". International Railway Journal. September 28, 2011. Archived from the original on October 3, 2011. Retrieved June 15, 2013. The Blue Line is expected to carry 300,000 passengers a day with trains running at 5-minute headways.
  22. ^ "LAMATA opts for Chinese Trains for the Lagos Light Rail". Black Border Build. January 11, 2015. Archived from the original on September 25, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  23. ^ "Hawker Siddeley Canada H5". Canadian Public Transit Discussion Board. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  24. ^ "Lagos light rail to commence operation 2022 - Official". August 12, 2018.
  25. ^ "Lagos State Governor to Visit Milwaukee Talgo Facility" (PDF). Wisconsin Public Radio. January 18, 2022. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 18, 2022. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  26. ^ "Unused US Talgo trains to move to Nigeria". International Railway Journal. January 19, 2022. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  27. ^ "Talgo's Wisconsin Trains Find Home In… Nigeria". January 18, 2022.
  28. ^ "Talgo speed comparison | Trains Magazine". Trains. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  29. ^ "Talgo America - Overview". web.talgoamerica.com. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  30. ^ "Britain's fastest diesel trains got new lease on life in Nigeria". ROLLINGSTOCK. October 21, 2024. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  31. ^ Clinnick, Richard (September 12, 2024). "'People only see opportunities in the UK, not the world' | The future of High Speed Trains". Rail Express. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  32. ^ "Metro rail service starts in Nigeria's Lagos, set to ease traffic". Al Jazeera. September 4, 2023. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
  33. ^ a b "Lagos gets a new elevated rail network". Quartz. January 6, 2023. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  34. ^ Ologunagbe, Olamide (December 23, 2022). "What you need to know about Lagos Blue Line Rail". Businessday NG. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  35. ^ "Lagos-Ibadan rail project ready in 2018 — Osinbajo". www.premiumtimesng.com. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  36. ^ Akoni, Olasunkanmi (September 4, 2023). "Lagos redline rail 95% ready, says Sanwo-Olu, flags off blue line". Vanguard. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  37. ^ https://www.railjournal.com/passenger/commuter-rail/passenger-services-start-on-lagos-red-line/
  38. ^ Israel, Arogbonlo (September 28, 2022). "Everything you need to know about Lagos Red, Blue line metro". The Quest Times. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  39. ^ AriseNews (September 6, 2024). "Lagos State Signs MoU With Chinese Firm For Green Line Rail Mass Transit Project". Arise News. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  40. ^ Oloniniran, Gbenga (September 2, 2024). "Lagos seeks investors for Green, Purple Line rails". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
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