The Lagos State Government has approved a 13 per cent increase in fares across all Bus Reform Initiative (BRI) schemes, including Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and standard bus routes, effective Monday, March 2, 2026.
Newsonspot reports that The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) disclosed this in a statement on Monday, noting that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu approved the fare adjustment following appeals from regulated public transport operators. The operators had raised concerns about the sustainability of transit operations amid rising economic pressures.
According to LAMATA, the fare review is intended to cushion the impact of persistent economic challenges affecting public transport operations. The adjustment also aligns with the state’s previously approved annual fare review mechanism.
Officials explained that the urgency of the fare increase was influenced by ongoing inflationary trends, with Nigeria’s inflation rate closing 2025 at 15.2 per cent, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
Bus Operating Companies (BOCs) have also been facing rising operational costs, including expenses for vehicle maintenance, spare parts, and staff salaries, especially after the implementation of the new national minimum wage. Operators are also investing in new, cleaner, and 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 provide safe, reliable, and efficient public transportation across the state.
