Subsidy Removal: Commercial bus operators disregard LASG transportation fare slash
By Temitope Adebayo
Commercial bus drivers operating in Lagos State have disregarded the Lagos State Government directive that all yellow transport buses should slash their fares by 25 per cent.
Governor Sanwo-Olu had earlier in the week directed 50 per cent slash in transportation fare on all Lagos State-controlled transport mediums Bus Rapid Transit (BRT Blue Line) and a 25 per cent slash in transport fare on all yellow buses, which commenced yesterday, August 2nd, 2023.
But in our fact findings, our correspondent, who visited some areas in the state, discovered that virtually all yellow commercial buses didn’t slash transportation fare, while all BRT buses complied with the directive to slash fares by 50 per cent.
Speaking with our correspondent a passenger, who simply identified himself as Emmanuel said it was surprising that t the price remains the same, despite the government pronouncement. In fact, some drivers still carried at higher prices.
According to him, transport fares from Agege to Ikeja remains at N300, while Oshodi to Iyana-Ipaja still goes for N500.
Another commuter, Mrs Hassan, who boarded Yaba bus from Ikeja , said it stood at N800, the same rate it has been fixed since the fuel subsidy remover.
Our checks, also, showed that Apapa to Ijora was still N200 and Apapa to Contain was still being charged at N300.
Speaking with The Daily Times, some selected drivers, who commented on this development, they said no incentive from any of their leadership could have warranted a slash in transportation fares.
It would be recalled that, the Chairman of Lagos State Parks and Garages (LASPG), Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya (MC Oluomo), had recently said his office has reduced tickets prices for commercial buses to enable drivers to also, reduce their fares.
LASPG Chairman noted that the tickets given to drivers at parks for N800 will be sold at N600, as all bookings would have a 25 per cent reduction.
According to him, transport fare which is N500 is expected to be reduced to N300, while those paying N200 for fare will now pay N150, respectively.
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“Commercial motorcycles (Okada riders) and tricycles (Keke Marwa) operators will give a 25 per cent reduction in the tickets bought from the union”, he said.
Explaining how the procedure can be in force, he said that a task force team that would monitor the implementation of the directives, therefore, warned various parks and garages executives to ensure compliance, stating that sanctions would be meted on defaulters.
“The task force will be led by all members of state executives, parks’ chairmen and elected union leaders”, he said.
