Lagos stops 25% discounted fares for BRT, trains, ferries

The Lagos State Government has announced that the 25% fare discount on its regulated public transport buses, ferries, and train services will end on Sunday, June 2, 2024.

The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) made this announcement in a statement on its official X handle.

Following the announcement, from Monday, June 3, 2024, Lagosians will be required to pay the full fare once again.

“The 25% fare rebate on regulated public transport buses, ferries, and train services ends on Sunday, June 2nd, 2024,” the statement read.

“Starting Monday, 3rd June 2024, transport fares on all regulated transport services in the state will return to their original rates.”

Between August 2023 and February 2024, the Lagos State Government implemented transport subsidies on all state-regulated transport services, offering discounts of 25% and 50%.

The move was aimed at alleviating the financial burden on Lagos residents caused by the removal of fuel subsidies.

It will be recalled that in July 2023, the Lagos State Government had, in response to the removal of the fuel subsidy by President Bola Tinubu’s administration in May 2023 which resulted in a nationwide increase in transport fares, announced a 50% discount on all state-run public transport services.

In addition, a 25% discount on fares was mandated for commercial yellow buses on all routes.

After three months, the government announced that the 50% discount would be discontinued on November 6, 2023, reverting to the original fare rates.

The suspension of the 50% discount was due to a 50% increase in the price of diesel, from N867 in August to N1,300 in November 2023.