Lagos Red Line: 24 New Coaches To Boost Capacity As Government Targets 500,000 Daily Passengers

In a move expected to boost commuter services on the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Red Line, the Lagos State Government is set to deploy three 8-coach train sets, each capable of carrying up to 2,000 passengers per trip, substantially increasing capacity during peak commuting periods.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced this while sharing an update on the Red Line. According to him, the new trains were procured with the support of the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“We have commenced the offloading of three new train sets, comprising 24 coaches, for the Red Line. Each eight-coach train can carry up to 2,000 passengers per trip. This means more capacity, more room for commuters and the opportunity to run more frequent services along the Oyingbo-Agbado corridor.”

Sanwo-Olu explained that efforts were underway to put the trains into passenger service before the end of the year, adding that “more trains, better journeys and an easier way to get around Lagos. We keep moving.”

Back in June, LAMATA’s Managing Director, Engr. Mrs Abimbola Akinajo, announced plans to increase Red Line operations from the current nine daily trips to 24 trips by the fourth quarter of 2026, when additional rolling stock was expected to arrive.

Akinajo made the announcement while receiving the 15-year permanent operating licence granted by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), allowing LAMATA to operate passenger and freight services along the Red Line corridor between Agbado, a suburb in Ogun State, and Oyingbo in Lagos.

Speaking with journalists in April on the sidelines of the 159th meeting of the Joint Revenue Board (JRB) at Lagos House, Marina, Sanwo-Olu said the Red Line would be able to move up to 500,000 passengers daily when fully operational.

“The beauty of the Red Line is that it is twice as large as the Blue Line. While the Blue Line operates four-car trains, the Red Line will run eight-car trains. At full capacity, it will be able to move up to 500,000 passengers daily along the corridor from Agbado to Oyingbo,” he said.

• See Also: LAMATA And Oando Accelerate Green Transit With 11 New Electric Buses As Part Of Initial 50-Vehicle Plan