She announced this at a media briefing held at the Marina
terminal.
Akinajo noted that the government’s 50 percent fare
reduction, applicable to all government-owned transportation, will also be
extended to the Blue rail line.
The railway system was commissioned in January 2023 by
former President Muhammadu Buhari, however, without official commencement of
commercial operations.
Despite initial plans to commence operations by the end of
the first quarter of 2023, the launch experienced delays.
“We couldn’t begin operations as intended by the end of the
first quarter due to unexpected issues. Although we promised an August launch,
we faced challenges in meeting that timeline,” Akinajo said
The service will operate in both morning and evening phases,
with continuous assessments throughout the day to ensure the trains maintain
proper working conditions.
She emphasised the meticulous testing of interfaces,
ensuring commuter safety, and verifying the reliability of power and intermodal
systems.
Operating hours for the train stations will span between
6:30am and 10:30pm.
Akinajo said that the metro service will strictly adhere to
a fixed timetable, which will be accessible at all stations and on the LAMATA
website.
“The metro service will adhere to a fixed timetable,
available at all stations and on the LAMATA website,” Akinajo said.
Akinajo also noted the prohibition of food and drinks
onboard.
The Blue Line project is a 27-kilometre rail route designed
to run from Okokomaiko eastwards to Mile 2 and then proceed to Marina via
Ijora. However, only the phase one covering 13km, Marina to Mile-2 is ready
with five stations.
The stations are at Marina, National Theatre, Orile Iganmu,
Suru-Alaba, and Mile 2, while phase two upon completion, will extend the line
27km to Okokomaiko in Ojo.