Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Governor of Lagos, has given the green light for the implementation of a 25 percent discount on state-owned transport services, with the reduced fares set to take effect starting on Tuesday.
This decision comes shortly after the Lagos State Government, less than 24 hours earlier, discontinued the previous 50 percent discount on transport services.
In an announcement made on Saturday, the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) revealed that transport fares would revert to their standard rates from November 6.
On July 31, Governor Sanwo-Olu had initially unveiled a 50 percent reduction in fares for all state-owned transport services.
This move was introduced as part of the state government’s efforts to provide relief following the removal of petrol subsidies and the subsequent increase in fuel prices.
Responding to the appeals of Lagos residents, Kolawole Ojelabi, the Head of Corporate Communication at LAMATA, released a statement on Monday explaining the governor’s decision to extend the passenger fare reduction by 25 percent.
The statement reads, “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.
Within the three months period of the rebate, the pump price of diesel jumped from N867 in August to N1,300 in November 2023, representing about a 50 percent increase.”