On October 15, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu officially launched commercial operations for the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LMRT) Red Line.
The Red Line, a 27-kilometer railway running from Agbado to Oyingbo, includes eight major stations: Oyingbo, Yaba, Mushin, Oshodi, Ikeja, Agege, Iju, and Agbado.
This new transit option is designed to ease commuting across Lagos, with an estimated 500,000 people expected to use it daily as schedules are fully implemented.
Here’s a guide to help you understand how to board the Red Line and make the most of its services.
@ikejarecord The Red Line Rail is open to the public! Here’s everything you need to know to hop on the Lagos Red Line Rail from Agbado to Oyingbo. #redlinerail #lagosredlinerail #redlinetraininLagos #redlinetrainlagos #lagosredlinerail #lagosredline #lagosredlineproject #howtoboardlagosredline ♬ Simple notification sound _02 – MATSU
Ticketing and Fare Information
To access the Red Line, passengers need a Cowry Card, which is used across Lagos for bus, ferry, and now rail services.
This cashless card can be reloaded at ticketing terminals or through the Cowry app. Using the Cowry Card enhances commuter safety, contact tracing, and the protection of stakeholder investments in the transport sector.
The fare structure is organised into two zones, with Zone 1 covering stations from Agege to Oyingbo, and Zone 2 covering Agbado to Agege. Passengers travelling across both zones will pay a higher fare than those travelling within a single zone.
- Zone 1 Fares: For journeys starting from Agege and moving towards Oyingbo, fares range from 500 Naira for short distances, like Oshodi to Mushin, to 1000 Naira for longer trips.
- Zone 2 Fares: Journeys beginning at Agbado towards Agege are priced at 500 Naira for shorter distances. However, trips that go from one zone to another, like Agbado to Oyingbo, cost 1500 Naira.
Schedule and Frequency
The Red Line operates from Monday to Friday, with morning and evening schedules to accommodate daily commuters. Here’s a sample of the times trains are available between Agbado and Oyingbo:
- Morning Departures:
- 6:00 AM: Stops at all stations every few minutes until reaching Oyingbo by 7:07 AM.
- 7:10 AM: Stops at all stations, arriving at Oyingbo by 8:27 AM.
- Evening Departures:
- 6:50 PM: Stops at all stations, arriving at Oyingbo by 7:57 PM.
- 8:10 PM: Stops at all stations, arriving at Oyingbo by 9:17 PM.
Oyingbo to Agbado Return Schedule
- Evening Departures:
- 5:20 PM: Stops at each station, reaching Agbado by 6:27 PM.
- 6:40 PM: Stops at each station, arriving in Agbado by 7:47 PM.
Each train makes several stops along its route, with set times for each station. For example, a train departing Agbado at 6:00 AM will stop at Ikeja around 6:19 AM, Mushin by 6:40 AM, and finally reach Oyingbo at 7:07 AM. This helps passengers plan when to catch a train at a specific station.
Safety and Accessibility
Safety personnel from the Lagos Neighborhood Safety Corps (LNSC) are on board to ensure passenger security.
However, accessibility for people with disabilities is limited. Stations currently lack ramps, and the train entrances may require assistance for wheelchair users due to gaps between the platform and the train.
Red Line Guidelines
To maintain a clean and safe environment, the following rules apply:
- Eating and drinking are not allowed on board.
- Smoking and loitering are prohibited.
- Passengers should avoid carrying inflammable items.