Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved the increase of the BRT transport fare by at least 46%. The review will apply to bus services operated by the Lagos Bus Services Limited (LBSL).
The Assistant Director, Corporate Communication at the Lagos Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LAMATA), Kolawole Ojelabi confirmed the 46% increase. He added that it takes effect from August 1.
Reports say that the governor accented the review following a plea by the bus operating company. According to the company’s management, its proposal is premised on the need to sustain its operation because of the negative effect of #COVID19 on public bus transportation.
It adds that the 46% increase will amount to operational efficiency and place the operations of the BRT on the part to sustainability in the medium to long term.
The governor also accented to an upward review in the number of passenger load from 20 to 42. The initial number was in observance of the covid19 advisory by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on social distancing.
The operating company argued that the few authorised number of passengers adversely affected its revenue while operational costs remained largely the same.
Meanwhile, Lagos residents have cried out against the increased BRT fare. Some complain that they are only on a fraction of their salaries while others have completely lost their jobs.
According to them, they expected some sustainable palliatives from the government as is the case in other countries.
Some of the complaints:
