By Akinwale Kasali
Lagosians are lamenting the hike in fares on the Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, LAMATA, under its Bus Reform Initiative, BRI.
LAMATA announced an 18 percent increase in fares citing rising operational costs.
The new fare structure is set to take effect from February 17, 2025.
In a statement released on its X handle (formerly Twitter), LAMATA explained that the adjustment was necessary to ensure the continued availability of bus services for commuters in Lagos.
“The fare rise is because of the increase in the cost of operations and the need to ensure that buses keep running and guarantee your movement around Lagos,” the statement read.
“The new fare will take effect from Monday, 17th February, 2025. We seek your understanding and cooperation.”
With the latest fare hike, Lagos commuters will need to brace for higher transportation costs, even as efforts are made to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of the city’s public transport system.
It would be recalled that this is not the first time LAMATA has adjusted its transport fares.
On June 30, 2022, the agency announced a N100 increase on all routes within the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, attributing the decision to the high cost of diesel and the growing number of buses that were out of operation due to a lack of spare parts.
The firm had withdrawn its services over losses occasioned by COVID-19 new transport guidelines that mandated it to commute only 20 passengers per trip instead of 70.
Again, in 2022, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu approved a flat rate increase by N100 in bus fares for all Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, and standard routes as part of measures to sustain operations.
The increase, which commenced on Wednesday, July 13, 2022, was aimed at ensuring the sustainability of the BRT and standard route schemes.
Further reviews of BRT fares occurred during the Naira redesign crisis, and when the removal of subsidy caused inflation.
Following this increment, a commuter said that this will further had more burden to Lagosians who sees the BRT as a succour as against Commercial Buses.
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This increase will make bus available. Are they telling us that there will be no queue at the station , no more standing in the bus. They have turned it to Molue most of the drivers or the ticketer will be telling passengers there is standing while is the same price. Pls if you increase but all this still happened then the increase in the fare is not good.