Abuja Light Rail


Abuja Rail Mass Transit commonly known as Abuja Light Rail is a light rail transport system in the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria. It is the first rapid transit system in the country and in West Africa and the second such system in sub-saharan Africa. The first phase of the project connects the city center to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, stopping at the Abuja-Kaduna Railway station in Idu. The Abuja Metro Line was launched on 12 July 2018 and opened for passengers the following week.

History

A light rail system serving Abuja had begun planning in 1997, but was delayed due to funding issues. CCECC Nigeria was awarded a contract for the construction of the first two phases, known as Lots 1 and 3, in May 2007.
The first phase has two lines and 12 stations opened in July 2018, connecting Abuja city centre with the international airport via the Lagos–Kano Standard Gauge Railway at Idu. The projected cost of the entire proposed network, to be developed in six phases, is US $824 million, constructed by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, with 60% of the cost funded by loans from the Exim Bank of China.

Operations

Upon opening in 2018, only the section between Abuja Metro Station and the Airport was operational, with an intermediate station at Idu. The remaining nine stations were not in operation, and are due to open in 2020.
The rolling stock used for this line initially consisted of only three diesel rail coaches. A further three are scheduled to be delivered in mid-2020.
From opening, the rail line operated on a significantly reduced timetable in comparison to other worldwide light rail systems; with three daily departures from Idu to Abuja Metro Station, with two running the full length to the airport, on weekdays only. The delivery of further rolling stock is anticipated to provide services every thirty minutes.

Network

The first part of the network was commissioned on July 12, 2018, twelve stations opened in this first phase.

Yellow line

The Yellow line travels from Abuja's Central Business District to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
StationsLocation
Abuja Metro
Stadium
Kukwaba I
Kukwaba II
Wupa
Idu
Bassanjiwa
Airport

Blue Line

The Blue Line travels from Idu to Kubwa.
StationsLocation
Idu
Gwagwa
Deidei
Kagini
Gbazango

Future expansion

A network totalling is proposed, divided into six phases or 'lots'. Lots 1 and 3 have finished construction.