When government buses join the extortion game in Lagos state

Lagos commuters are no strangers to price fluctuations in transportation, but when government buses engage in arbitrary fare hikes, it raises serious concerns about transparency and accountability.

This morning 3rd of April 2025, passengers boarding a government bus from the train terminal station at Marina to Odeku, Victoria Island, were shocked when they were asked to pay N1,000 instead of the usual N400. The justification? “Traffic.” Yet, for the first time in seven weeks, the road was unusually free, making the excuse not just flimsy but entirely baseless.

Ignoring the cashless system for personal gain
Under normal circumstances, these buses, also known as the last-mile bus, are required to use the Lagos Cowry Card, an electronic payment system designed to ensure fair and transparent pricing. However, instead of processing payments through the Cowry Card system, the bus operators opted for cash collection, creating room for unchecked extortion.

For commuters like Nonso, one of the passengers, this was not just frustrating but financially inconvenient. Expecting to pay with his Cowry Card, he was caught off guard by the unexpected demand for cash. “Who is going to give me cash as the money I have with me is not enough?” he lamented bitterly, disappointed by the driver’s refusal to follow the proper system.

Extortion beyond government buses
It wasn’t just government buses exploiting commuters. Deborah, who boarded a regular commercial bus, also experienced the same issue. She noted that drivers took advantage of the heavy traffic from the previous day, which was caused by repairs on the Independence Bridge.

“Obalende to VI used to be N500, but today they collected N1,000. Fortunately, the road was unusually free,” she said. This highlights how commercial bus operators inflate prices based on past traffic conditions, even when the situation no longer justifies it.

Lack of oversight fuels the exploitation.
The situation was further worsened by the absence of government oversight. A passenger noted that the officials who usually monitor and control irregularities among government buses at Marina were nowhere to be found. These officers play a crucial role in regulating transport operators and ensuring compliance with standard pricing. Their absence allowed bus drivers to exploit passengers freely.

To make matters worse, the bus in question, with plate number EKY-69XY, is a government-owned vehicle, which raises concerns about accountability within the public transport system. If state-run services can flout regulations this easily, what message does that send to private operators?

Unregulated public transport pricing
Government-run transport systems are expected to offer stable, predictable pricing to shield citizens from the volatility of private transport operators. However, this incident suggests that even officially managed services are not immune to arbitrary fare increases. If public transport services can impose such sudden hikes without prior notice, where does that leave ordinary Lagosians?

Many residents already struggle with the rising cost of living, and transport is a major daily expense. When fares more than double without justification, it means fewer people can afford to move around for work, business, and personal needs. It also raises trust issues with government-backed transport initiatives, which are meant to provide affordable mobility solutions.

What Next?
This extortion case is not just an isolated event—it’s a symptom of a larger problem in Lagos’ public transport system. Lack of pricing transparency and enforcement of standard fares enables operators, both public and private, to take advantage of commuters.

The government must enforce the mandatory use of the Cowry Card among the Last Mile Buses, provide clear fare structures, and ensure that pricing remains consistent and predictable. More importantly, the available reporting mechanism for cases like this should be functioning, allowing affected passengers to get resolutions.

For now, Lagosians remain at the mercy of transport operators—government-run or not.