With a train every 18 minutes, it’s bye-bye cars, hello Lagos Blue Line! by Uche Nnadozie

On August 12, the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue Line expanded its daily trips from 54 to 72, excluding Sunday service when traffic is typically lighter.

Announcing this development, the Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Mrs. Abimbola Akinajo, shared that Blue Line train riders can now travel between Marina and Mile 2 in just 18 minutes—an impressive reduction of seven minutes from the previous travel time of 25 minutes.

This means that a train will depart every 18 minutes from both ends of the corridor, allowing commuters to plan their journeys with greater efficiency.

In addition, the Managing Director introduced a 25% fare discount for commuters traveling during off-peak periods, between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM daily. This initiative is part of the state’s efforts to ease the economic strain on its residents.

The new train schedule is expected to significantly reduce travel time, encourage more riders to use the train system during off-peak hours, and lower household transportation costs.

The revised schedule, which sees the first train depart from the Marina station at 6:30 AM, has the last train leaving at 7:27 PM. The full schedule is available on LAMATA’s website, at train stations, and through the agency’s social media channels.

Since commencing commercial operations on September 4, 2023, the Blue Line has transported nearly two million passengers in less than a year. It has also gained popularity among content creators who leverage the service’s appeal to generate income through social media.

The now widely acclaimed Blue Line has become a lifeline for commuters living along the Lagos-Badagry expressway, particularly those traveling between Lagos State University, Agric, Okoko, Trade Fair, FESTAC, Satellite, Mile 2, Amuwo, Kirikiri, Orile, Coker, Iganmu, Lagos Island, and surrounding areas.

For businessmen, traders, office workers, and tourists alike, the Blue Line offers a stress-free and time-efficient alternative to road travel. Car owners, especially, can now choose to park their vehicles or reserve them for weekend outings.

With fixed schedules offering 36 trips in both directions, every savvy Lagosian can now plan their journeys and avoid the chaos of road traffic, including accidents, road rage, and interactions with LASTMA, police, and VIO.

Life can indeed be more convenient with proper planning. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has delivered on this promise by providing air-conditioned, fast, and efficient trains that enhance the daily travel experience in the state.

For traders who regularly shuttle between Amuwo, FESTAC, Trade Fair, and Idumota, it’s hard to see why they would still opt to drive when a cheaper and more convenient alternative is readily available. The same logic applies to bank and office workers.

If I lived in that area, it would be goodbye to cars and hello to the Blue Line.