Most Lagosian woke to the shock of the unsubsidized Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) fares in the wee hours of Monday as they commute to their respective destinations.
According to our correspondent who monitored the development on Abulegba, a sun-rub of Lagos to Oshodi route, the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) terminal was agog as commuters began to question the rationality behind the increase, in the wake of their new realities.
Our correspondent gathered that as at last week Friday AbuleEgba to Oshodi was around #417, but has jacked to #550 this morning. Another regular user of the BRT, who shared her experience with our correspondent said, there was an increase of #300 from the “Igando” area of Lagos Island this Morning (Monday).
Reacting, Mr. Mutiu Yekeen, the communication manager of Primero Transport Services Ltd, one of the contractors who manage the Bus Rapid Transit (the BRT), told our correspondent that, the Lagos state government through the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), had already informed the public, that the government’s subsidy on transportation fares aimed at cushioning the removal of petrol subsidy has come to an end.
He said, “We are not incharge of the recent subsidy implemented by the Lagos State Government to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy, but prior information was given by LAMASA and relevant authority which you can contact as well.
Techeconomy had earlier reported that the Lagos State Government, through the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), announced the end of the 25% discount on transport fares across the entire Lagos State Public Transport System, starting from Sunday, January 28, 2024.
LAMATA issued a public notice on Friday, January 26, 2024, revealing the discontinuation of the 25-transport fare discount, through its official X (formerly Twitter) account.
Recall that on July 31, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced the reduction of transport fares of state-owned buses by 50% as well as commercial yellow buses by 25% on all routes as part of efforts to cushion the effect of the removal of the petrol subsidy.
The agency also advised Lagosians to take note of the change and to make the necessary preparations for the resumption of regular transport fare rates that were in place before the adjustment made in December.
In other words, from today, Monday, 29th January 2024, transport fare on regulated services return to 100%.
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