Why Lagos suspends Red Rail Line operations indefinitely

*The Red Line Mass Transit Train Service of the Lagos State Government of Nigeria may have suspended operations on its until further notice due to mechanical faults, says report

Emmanuel Akosile | ConsumerConnect

The Red Line Mass Transit Train Service (LRMT) of the Lagos State Government (LASG) may have suspended operations on its until further notice.

ConsumerConnect learnt the LRMT, in a blog note had communicated to service consumers.

The Service stated: “We sincerely apologise for the cancellation of service this evening, which was due to mechanical faults.”

Earlier, report has indicated that the operations of the train service ran into troubled waters last week.

Several passengers observed mechanical failure on the morning belt of the train service last Monday, according to report.

A passenger, who solicited anonymity had boarded the train from Iju Station, said the commuters had been told the train developed a “mechanical fault” and when they got to Mushin, all passengers were instructed to disembark, as the train could no longer move.

Emmanuel Ajadi, another train passenger, said he was turned back at Agege Train Station last Tuesday by station workers, who said the train was not in operation.

Same day, operators of the Red Line had in a terse chat posted on the LRMT WhatsApp channel created same day, indicated that the break would affect only the morning belt, saying the afternoon belt would still run.

On the WhatsApp Channel, which was deleted by the operator last Friday, it was stated: “Please note that only the 5:20p.m. and 6:50p.m. train from Oyingbo and 6:40pm train from Agbado will run today.”

However, checks indicated that both services pledged for that evening did not run, as announced.

Still, by 9:19p.m. same Tuesday, the operators of LRMT again, confirmed it wasn’t able to operate as promised when it sent the chat.

The Service said: “We sincerely apologise 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.”

It is recalled the Lagos Red Rail Line project began commercial operations October 15, 2024, eight months after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu inaugurated the transport facility February 29 this year.

It is also noted that the Service took off with two services at the morning and two at evening peaks, culminating in four shuttles per day.

The Service had intended to upscale as operations improve on the corridor, which is projected to be a major cash cow with the huge population of passengers transiting from Agbado to Oyingbo, according to report.

It was learnt the train service, until the suspension of operations due to mechanical failure, has been running at below optimal carriage capacity.

Many have complained about the high cost of trips, put end-to-end at N1,500 per trip (from Oyingbo-Agbado or from Agbado-Oyingbo), while the narrow gauge train being operated by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) on the same corridor for the same trip costs N750.

The Red Line, which started commercial operations on its 27km first phase, was operated by First Metro, under the guide of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA). The service is also projected to carrying about 500,000 passenger daily and about 1.5 million daily at the completion of the second phase, which will see the service terminate at Onikan, on Lagos Island, from where it will join the state’s premier mass transit, the Lagos Blue Line.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State at the launch of its operations assured Lagosians of timely service on the train, as travel time would be reduced to between 30 to 45 minutes end-to-end.

The 25 percent rebate regime on public transportation announced, announced by the the Lagos Government would also be observed on the train, Sanoe.

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