- LAMATA to Penalise Commuters Paying Cash on Regulated Buses from August 1
- Commuters Risk Sanctions
- Advised transport operators to employ trustworthy drivers and conductors
The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has announced that commuters who pay cash on its regulated public transport services will face penalties from August 1 as the agency moves to fully enforce its cashless fare payment policy.
Eko Hot Blog the announcement was made during a stakeholder engagement on LAMATA’s X Space, where transport operators and industry stakeholders discussed the implementation of the policy.
EDITOR’S PICK
- Nearly 30 Years Later, Who Really Knows How Abacha Died?
- Tinubu Govt Dismisses Reports of Fresh Electricity Tariff Increase
- Traditional Rulers Remain Key Partners in Lagos Development – Sanwo-Olu
LAMATA said the enforcement is aimed at promoting accountability, transparency and compliance with the state’s cashless transport system, which requires passengers to pay fares using the Cowry Card.
The agency also urged commuters to report any driver or conductor demanding cash through its official email address or customer service lines.
Speaking during the session, LAMATA’s Head of Legal Department, Idris Akinola, said the agency’s regulations require commuters to use only the approved electronic payment system on regulated transport services.
He explained that under relevant Lagos State laws, both passengers who offer cash and transport workers who accept it could be held liable for violating the regulations.
“This means both the person offering cash and the person accepting it may be held liable under the applicable laws,” Akinola said.
He advised transport operators to employ trustworthy drivers and conductors, carry out regular internal checks and cooperate with LAMATA’s enforcement teams.
According to him, offenders convicted under the applicable laws could face up to seven years’ imprisonment.
Managing Director of Teejay Motors, Adekunle Tajudeen, said the company had trained its drivers and boarding officers on the new enforcement measures.
He noted that staff had been instructed not to accept cash under any circumstances and that passengers must use the Cowry Card for all fare payments.
Tajudeen added that some of the company’s drivers had previously been arrested and jailed for collecting cash, stressing that passengers also contributed to the practice by insisting on cash payments.
He said additional drivers had been recruited and more buses deployed to ensure service would not be disrupted if non-compliant staff were removed.
Also speaking, public transport and urban mobility expert Adepoju Fawokon said previous enforcement efforts focused mainly on drivers had not achieved the desired results.
He explained that because every cash transaction involves both the passenger and the transport worker, LAMATA decided to hold both parties accountable to curb revenue leakages and strengthen the sustainability of the regulated transport system.
Meanwhile, Managing Director of Touch and Pay Technologies, Olamide Afolabi, acknowledged complaints from commuters about incorrect Cowry Card top-ups by agents.
He said the company had introduced the Carry Hub and a mobile application that allow users to monitor recent top-ups and check their card balances, helping to reduce disputes and improve customer experience.
