LAMATA increases BRT fare by 18%

The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has announced an 18 per cent fare increase across its entire Bus Reform Initiative (BRI) scheme.

The increase is expected to take effect from Monday, February 17, across all routes.

In a notice on its X handle yesterday, LAMATA stated that the reason for the increase is the cost of operations and the need to ensure that buses keep running to guarantee public movement around Lagos.

Meanwhile, Lagosians have started complaining about the increase, questioning why the agency has not switched to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as an alternative to fuel.

@EnitanOyekanm said: “What happened to the CNG conversion programme? It was meant to crash the prices. A friend had a reduction in the cost of fuel from 500k to 60k after changing the source of fuel from diesel to CNG gas. Why is @Lamataonline reluctant? What happened to the 100 electric buses too?”

@Mudaoye2013 said: “Everything about Lagos State is continuous hardship inflicted on the people despite the amount of revenue the state generates. Why hasn’t the state taken over the revenues being squandered by the road transport unions? Why focus on the tourism areas, beaches, and others?”

Myke @dipeckx said: “Diesel pump price goes down, yet operational costs go up… hence… squeeze Lagosians some more. Electric buses, CNG—na scam.”