As Lagos continues its struggle with daily gridlocks and chaotic road transport, the state’s Blue Line Rail project is steadily gaining traction, and now, more train sets have arrived.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Thursday announced the delivery of three new train sets, each consisting of four coaches, adding 12 coaches to the existing fleet.
- As Lagos continues its struggle with daily gridlocks and chaotic road transport, the state’s Blue Line Rail project is steadily gaining traction, and now, more train sets have arrived.
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Speaking via his official X (formerly known as Twitter) account, the governor described it as a step forward in efforts to make daily commuting in Lagos less stressful and more reliable.
He added that the addition will reduce waiting times and enhance comfort for users of the Blue Line, which currently operates along a 13-kilometre stretch from Marina to Mile 2.
The expansion of rolling stock is part of a broader plan to bolster Lagos’ transport infrastructure.
With a population of over 20 million and mounting pressure on roads, the city’s transport system has long been due for modernization. The Blue Line Rail, which began passenger operations in September 2023, initially ran 12 daily trips. That number has since increased to 72, with the new train sets expected to push the figure higher.
Work is also ongoing on the second phase of the project, a 14-kilometre extension from Mile 2 to Okokomaiko. Sanwo-Olu expressed optimism that the extension will be completed by 2026.
However, the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), in a separate statement issued in January 2025, projected that construction will be completed in the first quarter of 2027, with passenger operations to commence shortly afterward, creating confusion about specific timelines.
The agency confirmed that six additional train sets, which had passed the factory acceptance test, were scheduled for shipment from China and would be deployed for the extended phase once operational.
Notably, the Blue Line has experienced both milestones and challenges in its rollout. While the completion of the first phase was formally commissioned in January 2023 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, passenger services only commenced eight months later.
There have also been operational hitches. On October 11, 2023, Sanwo-Olu announced a temporary suspension of services on the Blue Line starting October 14. Though operations resumed shortly after, the brief disruption marked the need for consistency.
As more trains are delivered and timelines for the Okokomaiko extension unfold, questions remain about the Blue Line’s long-term impact. Its reach, for now, is limited to a portion of the state, and integration with other modes of transport is still evolving.
Nevertheless, the introduction of more coaches represents a significant improvement in public transport offerings for Lagosians. For many residents, it is a welcome development, though one that must be matched with continued delivery, maintenance, and expansion to meet the city’s growing demands.
By choosing to invest in electrified rail infrastructure, Lagos is positioning itself for a shift toward more efficient and sustainable urban transport.
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Still, observers stress that progress must be measured not just by announcements or additions to the fleet, but by the daily commuting experience of the average resident.
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