Commuters lament on 18% increase in BRT fares

Commuters have expressed dissatisfaction as the Lagos State Metropolitan Transport Authority (LAMATA) announced an 18 percent increase in bus fares on all Bus Reform Initiative (BRT) schemes.

LAMATA stated that the fare rise which took effect today is because of the increased costs of operations and the need to ensure that buses keep running and guarantee movement around Lagos.

Commuters that usually pay N900 from Igando to Obalende now have to pay N1,062, while commuters from Ikeja to Obalende will now pay N590 which was N500.

“When you look at it on a weekly or monthly basis, it is a lot, because it came at a time when there are increments in tariffs of some sectors in the country such as electricity, telecom, imports, and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN),” Wasiu Alli, an economist at BusinessDay Media said.

Other passengers took to their X handle (formerly Twitter) to comment on the new BRT fare stating that “We carefully seek your indulgence as increase in the rate of fare prices might drastically affect the patronage level of passengers. The ‘danfo’ and ‘korope’ buses will again become better alternatives for Lagosians as these unregulated buses take lesser,” Ajayi David A.D.A.K.S commented.

He added that a price drop rather than an 18 percent increase would go a long way in establishing an affordable and effective transportation network system.

Kelly Aigbedion @kellyaigbedion also commented that this is uncalled for.

Read also: BRT fares to increase by 18% in February – LAMATA

“The current fares are even way too high for a mass transit scheme. Most of your bus drivers and station operators illegally collect fares from commuters rather than ensuring they tap with their cowry cards. That should be the 1st problem to solve,” he commented.

Abu-Naheemah@afeezgunners also commented that he doesn’t have any issue with the increase but it should pally with the services provided.

“All the buses are dirty and none is using AC except the electric ones which are not many. Kindly mandate all the buses to start using AC. Paying more with less enjoyment is awful,” he stated.

Pedro Muhammed Olayinka@pedro_muhammed stated that at this moment, with the high inflation in the transport sector, he doesn’t think a high percentage of state-owned investment should be increasing fares at this rate when PMS is reducing and the dollar is coming down.

“It’s saddening,” he commented.