Sanwo-Olu approves hike in Lagos BRT Transport Fare

Lagos commuters making use of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses will be paying N100 more on all routes, as the state governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwoolu, has approved the increase.

A statement signed by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) Assistant Director, Corporate Communications, Kolawole Ojelabi on Thursday, said the hike is due to high operating costs.

Ojelabi, said the increase, which would come into effect on Wednesday, 13 July 2022, was aimed at ensuring sustainability of the BRT and the standard route schemes.

He said: “Operations of the transport scheme, of late had been hampered due to rising cost of inputs required for sustainable service offering and the attendant high number of buses out of operation as a result of lack of spare parts.

“For instance, the exponential increase in the pump price of diesel from N187 to N830/litre between August 2020 and June 2022, had greatly affected optimal performance of the bus operating companies leading to the withdrawal of buses from operation and longer waiting time at bus stations.”

He added that the governor also approved a proposal for a bail-out for the companies in order to cushion the effects of the, “harsh operating environment and safeguard private partnership investment.”

According to him, plans for providing support for the companies in view of the continuous increase in fuel price as a means of ensuring that the effects of the increase on passengers were minimized had been outlined.

Ojielabi hinted that the authority’s request for the conversion of the current diesel buses in operation to use compressed natural gas (CNG), and a shift to different economically viable and environmentally-friendly mobility energy solutions, for sustainability reasons had been approved.

“With the increase, a bus ride from Ikorodu–TBS will now cost N600 from N500, while Berger to Ajah is now N700, up from N600. Oshodi to Abule Egba will cost N450 from N350 and Abule-Egba-CMS-Obalende will attract a fare of N600,” the statement said.