EDITOR’S PICK:
EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has approved a flat rate increase by N100 in fares for all Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and Standard routes.
A statement signed by the Assistant Director, Corporate Communications, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Kolawole Ojelabi, said the increase, which would come into effect on Wednesday, 13th July, 2022, was aimed at ensuring sustainability of the BRT and standard route schemes.
According to the new increase, a bus ride from Ikorodu – TBS will now cost N600 from N500, while Berger to Ajah is now N700, up from N600. Oshodi to Abule Egba will cost N450 from N350 and Abule-Egba-CMS-Obalende will attract a fare of N600.
The statement read in part, “Operations of the transport scheme, of late, had been hampered due to rising cost of inputs required for sustainable service offering and the attendant high number of buses out of operation as a result of lack of spare parts.
“For instance, the exponential increase in the pump price of diesel from N187 to N830/litre between August, 2020 and June 2022, had greatly affected optimal performance of the bus operating companies, leading to the withdrawal of buses from operation and longer waiting time at bus stations.
With the increase, a bus ride from Ikorodu–TBS will now cost N600 from N500, while Berger to Ajah is now N700, up from N600. Oshodi to Abule Egba will cost N450 from N350 and Abule-Egba-CMS-Obalende will attract a fare of N600”, the statement said.
The Governor, in consenting to the fare increase, also approved a proposal for a bailout for the bus operating companies (route franchise operators/ concessionaires), in order to cushion the effect of the harsh operating environment, safeguard private partnership investment, and forestall the demise of formalised bus operations in the state.
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It also outlined plans for providing support for the companies in view of the continuous increase in fuel price, as a means of ensuring that the effects of the increase on passengers were minimised.
The statement added that it had approved the authority’s request for the conversion of the current diesel buses in operation to the use of compressed natural gas (CNG), and a shift to different economically viable and environmentally-friendly mobility energy solution, for sustainability reasons
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