Lagos slashes blue rail fare by 25%, increases trips to 72

Exciting News for Lagosians. Abimbola Akinajo, managing director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), announced the reduction in a statement on Saturday.

Overview of the Lagos Government’s Fare Reduction Announcement

The Lagos State government has recently made a significant announcement regarding the fare structure for its blue rail transport system. This decision to implement a 25 percent cut in transport fares during off-peak periods is aimed at enhancing accessibility and encouraging more residents to utilize public transportation, particularly during times when demand is lower.

Akinajo said the 25 percent discount is for commuters travelling “within the off-peak period set at 10.00 am and 4.00 pm daily”. She said the Lagos rail mass transit (LRMT) blue line would increase its number of trips from 54 to 72 per day, from August 12. However, Akinajo said the current schedule for Sunday operations remains unchanged. Akinajo said passengers can now travel between Marina and Mile 2 on the blue line route in just about 18 minutes from the previous travel time of 25 minutes.

Rationale Behind the Fare Reduction

1. Encouraging Public Transport Use: The primary goal of this fare reduction is to incentivize more commuters to opt for the blue rail service, especially during off-peak hours. By making it financially attractive, the government hopes to reduce congestion on roads and promote a shift from private vehicle use to public transport.
2. Economic Relief for Commuters: With rising living costs affecting many residents, this fare cut serves as a form of economic relief. It allows commuters to save money while still having access to efficient transportation options.
3. Boosting Off-Peak Ridership: Off-peak periods often see lower ridership numbers, which can lead to underutilization of available services. By reducing fares during these times, the government aims to balance ridership throughout the day, ensuring that trains are used more effectively.

Implementation Details

• Effective Dates: The exact dates when this fare reduction will take effect have been announced alongside the policy change.
• Targeted Off-Peak Hours: Specific hours defined as “off-peak” will be outlined by the Lagos State Transport Authority. These hours typically fall outside of morning and evening rush hours when commuter traffic is at its highest.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: To ensure that residents are aware of this new fare structure, the government plans to launch awareness campaigns through various media channels. This includes social media announcements, flyers in train stations, and community outreach programs.

Expected Outcomes

1. Increased Rail Usage: Authorities expect that with reduced fares during off-peak times, there will be an increase in overall rail usage, leading to better revenue generation for the transport system despite lower individual fares.
2. Environmental Benefits: A shift towards increased use of public transport can contribute positively towards reducing carbon emissions associated with road traffic congestion.
3. Improved Quality of Life for Residents: By providing affordable transportation options and reducing traffic congestion on major roads, residents may experience improved travel times and overall quality of life in Lagos.
4. Long-term Sustainability of Public Transport Systems: This initiative could serve as a model for future policies aimed at making public transport more appealing and sustainable in urban settings.

According to the LAMATA boss, this means there would be a train every 18 minutes both ways — thus allowing commuters to plan their trips. “The new train schedule is potentially expected to reduce journey times, encourage more riders to use the train system during off-peak periods and reduce transport spending,” she said.

Akinajo said the new timetables is available on the LAMATA website, stations, and social media handles. The blue rail line started operations on September 4, 2023 — running 12 trips per day.

On October 11, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, announced that the state would temporarily shut down the blue rail line from October 14, 2023. But the the service resumed passenger operations days after with 54 trips.

In conclusion, the Lagos government’s decision to implement a 25 percent fare reduction for off-peak periods on its blue rail transport system represents a strategic move towards enhancing public transportation accessibility while also addressing economic concerns faced by residents.