Reduction of train ticket fare increases passenger traffic

By Fidelis Ugbomeh

Since the Lagos State Government announced 30% reduction in train fares along the red line railway corridor passengers have continued to bseige the train stations to purchase tickets and enter the from Oyingbo to Agbado and back depending on their destinations.

The state government also increased the frequency of train operations from six trips to 9 trips per day thus giving passengers opportunity to transit at mid-mornings and mid-days apart from peak periods in the early mornings and evenings.

With the new fare, a trip between Agbado and Oyingbo will now cost ₦1,000 as against 1500naira before the announcement.

The Lagos State Governor Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu who made the announcement said that the purpose was to attract patronage to the red line train services in Lagos State and reduce the burden of passengers,

This rebate, he explained, is aimed at encouraging wider adoption of the Red Line and providing some relief to commuters amidst current economic realities.

The Red Line commenced passenger operations on 15 September 2024 with six trips daily but increased to nine trips a day on 10 February 2025.

A resident of Sango-Otta in Ogun State Mr. Mathew Otega described the 30% rebate as long over due adding that the government should not be competing with the commercial buses and taxis before fixing public transport fares.

He posited that at least the government should give some incentives and subsidies to residents of the state so as to cushion effect of the fuel subsidy removal which has affected cost of food items, house rent, clothings and travels.

Mr. Eric Umezurike, a resident of Agbado-crossing noted that hitherto many commuters neglected the Oyingbo-Agbado transit in preference for the old narrow gauge from Iddo to Ijoko/Kajola because it was cheaper and covers longer distance.

He implored the Lagos State government to extend the passenger train shuttle from Oyingbo to Kajola or Abeokuta