By Olasunkanmi Akoni

Governor Bababjide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, on Monday, took a ride in the maiden commercial passenger operation on the blue light rail from CMS terminal to Mile2.

Governor Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, boarded the train at exactly 9:10a.m. for a ride to Mile 2 station.

The passengers, who rode along with the governor, described the first experience as wholesome.

From Tuesday, partial passenger operations will start from 6:30a.m. to 10a.m. (Morning peak). The afternoon Peak will be from 4p.m. to 9:30p.m. 

These operations will start with 12 trips for two weeks, which will be ramped up to 76 trips per day.

The long-awaited blue line rail project is being constructed by the Lagos State Government and supervised by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, LAMATA, as part of the state’s development and improved intermodal transport system.

Below are videos of Governor Sanwo-Olu boarding:

A Chinese firm, China Civil Engineering Construction Company, CCECC, is constructing the project.

The official commencement date, which had been shifted several times, is expected to bring a lot of relief to the teeming Lagos populace.

This is particularly so as it will serve as palliative with the prevailing economic situation brought about by the Federal Government’s fuel subsidy removal which led to an increase in pump price of fuel to an all-time high N600 and above per litre.

The Lagos blue rail line was started by the former administration of Babatunde Fashola more than 12 years ago.

But the first phase – 13km (Marina to Mile 2) on the Lagos-Badagry corridor is being completed by the Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration.