The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has announced an 18 percent increase in fares across its Bus Reform Initiative (BRI) scheme.
The new tariff will take effect from February 17 across all BRT routes within Lagos.
LAMATA, in a notice shared on its X handle, attributed the fare hike to rising operational costs and explained that the adjustment was necessary to sustain services and ensure smooth public transportation across the state.
This development comes after the Lagos State Government ended a 50 percent discount on all BRT services in November and reverted to old prices.
The announcement has drawn sharp criticism from commuters, many of whom questioned why the state had not adopted Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to mitigate fuel costs.
Several passengers argued that a shift to CNG-powered buses would reduce operating expenses and stabilize fares.
“Why can’t LAMATA switch to CNG like some other transport operators? With all the talk about green energy, this should have been the solution,” said a commuter.
Public transport users emphasised that transitioning to CNG could lower fares and align with the Federal Government’s push for alternative energy sources to reduce dependency on petrol.
In a related development, the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) announced that its ‘Omi Eko’ water transport project would cost €410 million with funding secured under the Global Gateway Initiative.
According to the General Manager of LASWA, Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, €360 million of the needed fund for the project will be largely financed by the French Development Agency (AFD), the European Union (EU) and the European Investment Bank (EIB).
The Lagos State Government will provide a counterpart fund of €40 million while the private sector will cover the remaining €10 million.
“The Omi Eko project is a visionary initiative aimed at transforming Lagos’ inland waterways into a world-class transportation network and a catalyst for urban and economic development,” Emmanuel said.
He explained that the project is designed to reduce congestion on Lagos roads by offering a reliable alternative through water transport and integrating ferry services with existing road and rail systems.
“The project aims to create a seamless multimodal transportation system,” he added.
Despite the promise of alternative transport solutions, Lagosians remain concerned about the rising cost of daily commuting.
Many argue that while investments in water transport are commendable, urgent measures are needed to address the escalating cost of road transportation, which remains the primary means of movement for millions of residents.
