Fuel price hike: BRT may increase transportation fare soon

…as Lagosians call for more electric buses

There are indications that the Lagos State Government may increase the fare of Bus Rapid Transit, popularly known as BRT as a result of the increase in the price of petroleum by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), due to the subsidy removal by President Bola Tinubu.

This is even as Lagosians and BRT users, who are in fear over the possibility of BRT fare increase, called for more electric buses to cushion the effect on passengers.

In our fact findings, a BRT passenger, Mrs Aminat Odulami, who spoke to our correspondent said they are all in panic that the bus fare may be increased again.

According to her, the fare for BRT was increased last year due to the same fuel hike, now all commercial buses have increased their rate to double, I’m scared BRT rate would nit increase theirs too.

“We are appealing to the state government to help us subsidize the price of the BRT fare because it’s our last option”, she said.

A commuter at Oshodi Park, Mr Olamide Tunde, also pleaded to the Lagos State government not to increase the fare and urged the state government to bring more electric buses.

Mr Olamide noted that this is the time Lagosians need electric buses, so as to make transportation easier for Lagosians.

” There is no way the BRT fare will not be increased again, but we are begging our Governor Sanwo-Olu not to let it be too high, he should consider the state of the economy and the masses”, he added.

Another person, who pleaded anonymity because he does not want his name to be published told our correspondent that Sanwo-Olu should come to their aid, as he always does. He should not increase the price of the BRT buses across the state.

“We believe in the administration of Sanwo-Olu that is why we voted for him again, he will do justice to it.

“Since the increase in fuel price, commercial transporters have increased their prices to double, many of our children couldn’t go to school because the fare is too high and there are even fewer vehicles on the road,” he said.

The Assistant Director, Corporate Communication, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Kolawole Ojela, when contacted for his reaction on the development, said there is no comment on the issue for now.

It would be recalled that the Lagos governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in 2022, approved a N100 increase in fares of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) on all routes across the state.

LAMATA said the increase which takes effect from July 13, is to sustain their operations across the state.

The agency explained that the reason why they increased the fare is that the economic realities haven’t been favourable to their operations.

Then a ride from Ikorodu to TBS which is N500 changed to N600, while Berger to Ajah from N600 to N700.0

Oshodi to Abule Egba from N350 from N450 and Abule-Egba-CMS-Obalende turns N600

In April the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, announced a 50 percent slash in the transport fare of all Lagos state government-run vehicles.

The governor said that the measures were put in place to cushion the effect of the fuel crisis and cash shortage in the state.