LAGOS, Nigeria – Commuters in Lagos State received a jolt as the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) announced on Saturday, November 4, 2023 that the 50% discount on all public transport, which had been a brief respite for the masses, is coming to an abrupt end.
The discount was originally set forth by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s directive earlier in the year. It was announced the rebate was part of a palliative for the fuel subsidy removal by President Bola Tinubu on May 29, 2023 which set inflation at an all-time high.
In a public notice that might unsettle many Lagosians, LAMATA has declared a return to the original transport fares starting from November 5.
“The 50% rebate in transport fare in the regulated transport system in Lagos ends on Sunday,” LAMATA stated in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, signaling the end of a subsidy that had impacted a multitude of daily commutes.
— Lagos MetropolitanArea Transport Authority LAMATA (@Lamataonline) November 4, 2023
This change comes after the governor had announced on July 31 a significant fare reduction across state-owned and commercial buses, a move aimed at mitigating the harsh economic impact of the removal of the petrol subsidy.
“Starting from Monday, November 6, 2023, transport fare will return to the pre-2nd August 2023 rate,” the LAMATA’s statement read, urging Lagos residents to make necessary adjustments for the shift back to the regular rates.
The fare reduction, which took effect on August 2, 2023, had covered a 50% cut for state-owned buses and a 25% reduction for commercial yellow buses.
Governor Sanwo-Olu underscored the initiative as a palliative for workers, alongside the expansion of the fleet of staff buses for the workers in the Lagos State Public Service.
“The buses are ready and will be deployed through the office of the Head of Service of the state,” he had affirmed.
While the temporary subsidy has been welcomed by the public, its cessation might reignite concerns over affordability and access to public transport in Africa’s most populous city.
As Lagosians brace for the reinstatement of regular fares, the conversation about sustainable and equitable transport funding continues.
LAMATA’s advisory to residents suggests a tacit acknowledgment of the potential difficulties ahead and a call to prepare for the economic adjustments that the end of the subsidy will necessitate.
The impact of this decision will be closely watched as Lagosians navigate their way through the city’s bustling streets and transport networks.
