Lagos Rail Mass Transit

• 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. • 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. • On September 4, 2023, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu officially opened the Blue Line transit for public use. • At the beginning of 2024, it was announced that the Lagos suburban railway had transported 583,000 passengers in its first four months. • On February 14, 2024, Governor Sanwo-Olu announced that the Red Line between Agbado and Oyingbo would be inaugurated on February 29, 2024, in the presence of Nigerian President Tinubu. • On October 15, 2024, the first section of the Red Line opens to the public. • April 2025: Work commenced for construction of the Green Line rail infrastructure, awarded to China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) and the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) as a design and build contract. ==History==

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

" (or "Talgo 8") train. This is one of the sets that was bought by Lagos Rail. In September 2011, LAMATA announced that it would acquire some H5-series subway trains formerly used by the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) for the Blue Line. 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. 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. About 76 H5 cars that had been taken for refurbishment to Buffalo, New York, have been scrapped by August 2015. 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. 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. They had been ordered by Wisconsin for use on the Amtrak Hiawatha in 2009, but were never placed in service, and were instead stored. Talgo VIII cars are based on the unique technology of the Talgo Pendular model, which leans into a curve resulting in less sideways force and a higher comfort for passengers when driving over a curvy track. The "leaning" of the car is passive and occurs because of the resulting force without electronics, sensors or engines. In 2023, LAMATA bought 11 aging British Rail High Speed Trains (Class 43) locomotives and 11 Mark 3 coaches from the UK. 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==

Blue Line: Okokomaiko - Marina The Blue Line is the first line in the system and opened its first five stations on September 4, 2023. The entire planned route is from Okokomaiko to Lagos Marina. Construction had been delayed due to lack of funds and was split into multiple phases. 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. Like the Blue Line, this line is being constructed by CCECC. A ceremonial inauguration was held in February 2024, 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 connect it to the Blue Line, is currently ongoing. Green Line: Marina - Lekki Free Trade Zone (Airport) (Planned) 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 September 6, 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. On April 10, 2025, the state government unveiled the full plan for the Green Line, with an expected initial daily ridership of 500,000, as well as intent to complete the line in one phase. Purple Line: Redemption Camp - Ojo The Purple Line is a future 54.35-kilometre line and is developed by the Lagos Rail Mass Transit initiative managed by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA). It runs from Redemption Camp to Ojo near Lagos State University for more interconnectivity across Lagos. It will be constructed after the Red, Blue and Green Lines. It is projected to carry 549,000 passengers per day, with up to 1.3 million by 2031. Other planned routes • Yellow Line: Ota, Ogun to National Theatre • Orange Line: Ikeja to Agbowa-Ikosi ==See also==