TheCable

The Lagos state government, on Wednesday, launched a test run of the first phase of the blue line rail project designed to run from Mile 2 (on the mainland) to Marina (on the island).

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos governor, alongside other officials including Obafemi Hamzat, deputy governor; Mudashiru Obasa, speaker of the state house of assembly, boarded the train for a test run from the National Theatre Station to Marina.

Jubril Gawat, senior special assistant to the governor on new media, said the train scheme is expected to operate a cashless payment system and make use of the “Cowry card” — an e-payment system used by all bus rapid transit (BRT) vehicles in the state.

“Governor Jide Sanwo-Olu’s arrival at the National Theatre Station of the blue line rail project (phase 1) today to signal its infrastructure completion …. the Cowry Lagos with the Touch And Pay system is already set for use at the station,” Gawat wrote on Twitter.

UPDATE: Governor @jidesanwoolu’s arrival at the National Theatre Station of the BLUE LINE RAIL Project (Phase 1) today to signal its Infrastructure completion …. The @CowryLagos with the @touchandpayme system is already set for use at the Station.#LagosRail 🚃#SanwoLekansi 🚃 pic.twitter.com/7LF3l92FsZ

— Jubril A. Gawat (@Mr_JAGs) December 21, 2022

Speaking prior to the train ride, Sanwo-Olu said President Muhammadu Buhari would commission the first phase of the project (Marina to Mile 2) in January 2023, and also simultaneously flag off construction of phase two (Mile 2 to Okokomaiko).

He said the blue line is powered by electricity from an independent power plant.

The governor explained that the test run is to ensure that everything was in order ahead of the commencement of commercial operations on the train.