Since the launch of the Red and Blue Line rails, thousands of Lagosians have turned to the train system as an alternative to road transport. At Iju Station on a recent weekday morning, passengers queued for the Red Line heading toward Oyingbo. The seats were already filled with commuters from Agbado.
“This train has always been full since last year, which is to tell you how much people prefer using it, especially people from Agbado,” a commuter Alhaja Fatima Adebola told Ikeja Record.
Alhaja Adebola hasn’t boarded the Blue Line rail as she lives in Iju-Ishaga. However, she has heard so much about it and how it is almost like the Red Line rail.
Both the Red Line and Blue Line were developed under the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) scheme to modernise public transport. While they serve a similar purpose to ease movement across the state, their routes, features, and commuter experience reveal some clear differences.
In this brief explainer, Ikeja Record examines the similarities and differences between the Red Line and Blue Line.
What they have in common
Both rail lines share a number of features, including payment mode, public address system, security presence and general etiquette.
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To access the Red and Blue line, passengers can use the contactless Cowry card system.
On both lines, train information is announced in English and Yoruba.
Also, uniformed officials from the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC) are stationed at terminals on both lines and inside the train carriages.
Finally, a no-eating and drinking rule is maintained across both the Red and Blue lines..
How they differ
While both train lines offer faster travel times compared to road transport, the Red and Blue Lines differ in their routes, infrastructure, and service frequency.
The Red Line, which shares tracks with trains operated by the Nigeria Railway Corporation, stretches from Agbado in Ogun State to Oyingbo on the Lagos Mainland, making it a crucial link for thousands of mainland and inter-state commuters.
| Blue Line | Red Line | |
|---|---|---|
| Route | Mile 2 – Orile – Iganmu – National Theatre – Iddo – Marina | Agbado – Iju – Agege – Ikeja – Oshodi – Mushin – Yaba – Oyingbo |
| Daily passenger capacity (when fully operational) | 700,000 | 1.1 million |
| Powered by | Electricity | Diesel |
| Seats | Hard plastic | Cushioned seats |
| Restroom | Not available onboard | Available onboard |
| Entertainment screens | Available onboard | Not available onboard |
| Shops/stores | Found at select terminals | None |
| Self-service counters | Available | Not available |
| Number of daily trips | 72 | 9 |
| Length | 13km (27km) | 27km (37km) |
The Blue Line, on the other hand, is an island-mainland connector, running from Mile 2 to Marina, ideal for daily commuters heading to Lagos Island for work or play.
In terms of comfort, coaches on the Red Line include cushioned seats and onboard restrooms.
The Blue Line, on the other hand, runs on a dedicated electric-powered track with coaches fitted with hard plastic seats and mini entertainment screens.
While Blue Line coaches lack onboard restrooms, some of its terminals host shops and small stores, offering food, drinks, and other basic items.
In terms of frequency, the Blue Line operates up to 72 trips daily, spread across morning, afternoon, and evening hours. The Red Line currently runs nine trips per day, only in the morning and evening.