Sanwo-Olu Unveils Three New Trains, Doubles Red Line Capacity in Lagos

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has unveiled three new train sets for the Lagos Rail Mass Transit Red Line, marking a major step in the state’s efforts to improve public transportation and ease traffic congestion.

The addition of the new trains will double the Red Line’s daily trips from four to nine, the governor announced on Saturday.

The Red Line, which runs from Agbado in Ogun State to Oyingbo on Lagos Island, is one of the state’s flagship infrastructure projects aimed at transforming urban mobility.

With the newly added trains, the service will now offer five trips in the morning and four in the evening, up from two each way.

The improved schedule is expected to drastically reduce waiting times at stations to around two minutes and cut the total travel time across the route to under 50 minutes.

Governor Sanwo-Olu described the development as more than an infrastructure upgrade, calling it an investment in the productivity and well-being of Lagos residents.

“With the addition of these three new trains, we are doubling the number of daily trips. This is not just about trains—it’s about improving lives,” he said during the unveiling.

The Red Line, which began partial operations in late 2024, is part of a broader Lagos State transport master plan designed to create a connected, multi-modal system integrating rail, road, and water transport.

At full capacity, the line is projected to carry over 500,000 passengers per day.

The new trains feature high-capacity air-conditioned cabins and modern safety features, including level-crossing barriers and automated signaling. These enhancements are expected to boost rider confidence and promote rail as a viable alternative to the city’s congested roadways.

Commuters have welcomed the development. “If these trains keep to time, it will change everything,” said Tunde Aluko, a civil servant who commutes daily from Agege to the Island.

Governor Sanwo-Olu also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the next phase of the Red Line, which includes extending the route beyond Oyingbo to Marina.

The ultimate goal, he said, is to create a fast, reliable, and sustainable transit system that serves every corner of Lagos.

This announcement comes less than two years after the launch of the Blue Line in September 2023, and places Lagos among the few African cities building modern, high-capacity urban rail systems.