Lagos Government Increases BRT Fares Citing ‘Cost of Operations’

The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has increased the fare for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT).
LAMATA posted a notice on Thursday afternoon stating that the 18% increase would begin next week.

“Please be informed that there will be an 18 per cent increase in the bus fare on all Bus Reform Initiative (BRI) schemes,” the notice’s first section read.

“The fare increase is because of the increase in the cost of operations and the need to ensure that buses keep running and guarantee your movement around Lagos.” .

LAMATA urged passengers to show “understanding and cooperation” in the face of the increase.

In November 2023, the Lagos government cancelled the 50% transport fare concession on all BRT and returned to the former tariffs.

“The 50% rebate in transport fare in the regulated transport system in Lagos ends on Sunday,” LAMATA announced at that point. “The statement informed commuters that starting ‘from Monday, November 6, 2023, transport fare will return to the pre-2nd August 2023 rate.”

In July of that year, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu decreased the transport tariffs for state-owned and commercial buses by 25% across all routes.

The actions were part of an effort to mitigate the effects of the President Bola Tinubu administration’s elimination of gasoline subsidies.

Sanwo-Olu also stated that the Lagos State Government was extending its fleet of staff buses for employees of the Lagos State Public Service.

He indicated that the state’s Head of Service office will deploy the buses as soon as they are ready.