Sanwo-Olu Bows To Pressure Announces 25% Reduction In BRT, Train Fares From Today

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has bowed to pressure from commuters and stakeholders who have kicked against the reintroduction of the 50 per cent rebate in the regulated bus and train fares in the state by announcing a 25% reduction that will take effect from (today) Tuesday, November 7, 2023.

The Matrix reports that the governor had on August 2, 2023, announced a 50% discount in fares on regulated transport bus and rail transport to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.

However, the discount which has been hailed by many commuters as life-saving was discontinued on Sunday with the state government informing commuters that starting from Monday, November 6, 2023, transport fares will return to the pre-2nd August 2023 rates.

This sparked a public outcry which has now forced the governor to backtrack and announce a 25% reduction in the fares.

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The spokesperson for the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Kolawole Ojelabi, made this known in a statement on Monday while disclosing that the removal of the rebate was due to the increase in the price of diesel.

According to him, the governor’s directive followed calls for the reinstatement of the 50% rebate on fares for regulated bus and rail transport.

“Following appeals to the governor, he has extended the passenger fare reduction by 25% across the regulated bus and rail transport services until another review is announced,” the statement read.

“Within the three months of the rebate, the pump price of diesel jumped from N867 in August to N1,300 in November 2023 representing about 50 per cent jump.”