By Peter Omopo
The Lagos State Government has approved a 13 per cent increase in fares across all Bus Reform Initiative schemes, including Bus Rapid Transit and standard bus routes.
The approval was granted by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu following appeals from regulated public transport operators over rising operational costs and economic pressures.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority and signed by its Head of Corporate Communication, Kolawole Ojelabi, the government said the new fare structure will take effect from March 2, 2026.
According to the statement, the adjustment is aimed at cushioning the impact of sustained economic challenges affecting public transportation in the state. It added that the review aligns with the previously approved annual fare review mechanism.
Officials noted that the urgency of the fare review is linked to persistent inflationary trends, with Nigeria’s inflation rate closing 2025 at 15.2 per cent, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics.
Bus Operating Companies, the statement said, have continued to face increasing operational costs, including higher expenses for vehicle maintenance, spare parts and staff salaries, especially following the implementation of the new national minimum wage.
The government also noted that operators are investing in the procurement of new, cleaner and more fuel-efficient buses to improve passenger comfort and promote environmental sustainability.
The Lagos State Government reassured commuters of its commitment to balancing affordability with the need to ensure safe, reliable and efficient public transportation services across the state.
