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.
The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) announced the decision in a statement on Monday, stating that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu granted the approval following appeals from regulated public transport operators over the rising cost of operations.
According to LAMATA, the new fare structure will take effect from Monday, March 2, 2026.
The government said the adjustment is intended to cushion the impact of ongoing economic challenges affecting public transport services. It added that the review aligns with the previously approved annual fare review mechanism.
“The urgency of the review is underscored by persistent inflationary trends, with Nigeria’s inflation rate closing 2025 at 15.2 per cent, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS),” the statement, signed by LAMATA’s Head of Corporate Communication, Kolawole Ojelabi, said.
LAMATA noted that Bus Operating Companies (BOCs) have continued to face rising operational costs, including increased expenses for vehicle maintenance, spare parts, and staff salaries, particularly following the implementation of the new national minimum wage.
It added that operators are also investing in new, cleaner, and more fuel-efficient buses to improve passenger comfort and promote environmental sustainability.
The state government assured commuters of its commitment to balancing affordability with the need to maintain safe, reliable, and efficient public transportation across Lagos.
