Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos has approved a hike in bus fares on routes operated by the Lagos Bus Services Limited (LSBL).
The hike, according to a statement by Kolawole Ojelabi, Assistant Director, Corporate Communication, Lagos Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LAMATA), the increase will take effect from August 1, 2020.
He said Governor Sanwo-Olu approved the review following a plea by the bus operating company on the need to sustainments its operation because of the negative effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on public bus transportation.
The governor also approved LBSL’s request to increase the number of passengers per bus from 20 to 42 in observance of updated COVID-19 protocol, as directed by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in the operation of public transport, while ensuring other measures are in place.
Sanwo-Olu granted LBSL buses permission to access dedicated bus lanes in Lagos State, thus making their journey times predictable on corridors with bus dedicated lanes.
LBSL had argued that carrying only 20 passengers per trip had reduced the company’s revenue by 72 per cent.
