Amid economic hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu led administration has approved a 46 per cent increase on BRT services in Lagos.
Afriupdate reports that the new increase in BRT services would take effect from August 1, 2020.
According to a statement by the Assistant Director, Corporate Communication, at the Lagos Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LAMATA), Kolawole Ojelabi, the increase which takes effect from August 1 will only affect the routes operated by the Lagos Bus Services Limited (LBSL).
According to Ojelabi, the Lagos government approved the bus fare review following a plea by the bus operating company on the need to sustain its operation because of the negative effect of the COVID-19.
Sanwo-Olu 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).
Why The Increment?
The Chief Executive Officer of Lagos Bus Services Limited (LBSL), Idowu Oguntona, revealed that the fare increase would improve LBSL’s operational efficiency and place the company on the path of sustainability in the long term.
According to him, the permission granted by the governor now gives access to LBSL buses to use the dedicated BRT corridor from Berger through Ikorodu Road to Leventis, TBS, and Obalende and also from Oshodi through Ikorodu Road to Leventis, Inner- Marina, TBS and Obalende among several other routes.
His words “The approval to use the BRT corridor by the governor is to further give the commuting public a better experience on Lagos roads. The increase in the number of passengers and fare becomes necessary in order to enable the company to sustain its operations following the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on public bus transportation.’’
Follow our socials Whatsapp, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Google News.
