Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has begun conducting test runs for the red line rail as part of its preparations for full commercial operations.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a ceremony on February 29, President Bola Tinubu launched the red line train project.
This 37-kilometre rail line is designed to serve passengers traveling from Agbado and Iju to Agege, Mushin, Oshodi, Yaba, and Ebute Meta.
The project was carried out by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).
Despite its inauguration in February, the Lagos state government has not yet announced a start date for commercial operations.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Kolawole Ojelabi, LAMATA’s Head of Corporate Communication, said the test run aims to “improve the efficiency of the rail system’s operational framework”.
“The test run successfully simulated and demonstrated a track-sharing arrangement with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) involving all station officers and officials,” the statement reads.
“This signifies a significant step towards commencing passenger operations on the Red Line, which aims to revolutionise transportation in Lagos.
“The test run was carried out with the British rail set class 43 HST train.”
The test run, which started on Tuesday, is expected to last for four to six weeks while commercial operation is expected to commence in the last quarter of 2024.
