Transport Fare Slash: LASG Inspect Parks and Garages to Ensure

Samuel Mobolaji

The Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Transportation on Thursday visited some parks and garages in the state to ensure compliance of both Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and yellow commercial buses on the implementation of fare reductions of 50 percent and 25 percent announcement by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Abdulafiz Toriola, who was represented by the Director of Transport Operations, Olasunkanmi Ojoowuro said the exercise which took place at Pen Cinema, Iyana Ipaja, Ikeja and its environs was in line with the directive by the Lagos State Governor to monitor the level of compliance on the reduction of transportation fares as part of palliatives to cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy in Nigeria.

He said between 60 and 80 percent compliance has already been achieved. He assured that the Ministry would continue its sensitization efforts to ensure complete adherence to the directive.

Toriola urged transport unions to further comply with the Governor’s directives on fare reduction as well as support the efforts of LASTMA officials on traffic management in the state in ensuring motorists obey the traffic light and proper parking of their vehicles among others.

He further emphasized the need for Transport unions to monitor drivers under their units and branches to ensure they fully adhere to the directive. He also urged them to monitor commuter buses within their zones, not to disrupt traffic flow.

Speaking with the Chairman of Alausa Secretariat route in Agege, Iyabo Akeju, restated the commitment to cooperate with the Lagos State Government to ensure the directives on the palliative is fully enforced for the benefit of all.

Responding on behalf of the Unions present at the parks, Akeem Agberoungbe who is the organising Secretary of the transport unions at Ikeja Park confirmed that their union members have complied with the directive of the reduction to ease the effect of the petrol subsidy removal.

Similarly, Musiliu Disu, a transport union leader at Iyana Ipaja also explained that the level of compliance at their park is impressive. The unions expressed their commitment to continue monitoring their members for improved compliance.

Passengers interviewed while confirming the reduction in the public transport fares expressed their appreciation to the Governor for the palliative on transportation.