The Lagos State Government has approved a 13% increase in fares across all Bus Reform Initiative (BRI) schemes, including Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and standard routes.
According to a statement released Monday by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu granted the approval after regulated public transport operators appealed for fare adjustments due to mounting economic pressures threatening the sustainability of transit operations.
The revised fare structure will come into effect on Monday, March 2, 2026.
The government stated that the fare review is intended to cushion the impact of ongoing economic challenges on public transport, and is consistent with the previously established annual fare review process. Officials highlighted that the urgency of this adjustment is driven by persistent inflation, with Nigeria’s inflation rate closing 2025 at 15.2%, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
LAMATA’s Head of Corporate Communication, Kolawole Ojelabi, noted that Bus Operating Companies (BOCs) continue to face rising operational costs, including higher expenses for vehicle maintenance, spare parts, and staff salaries—particularly following the introduction of the new national minimum wage.
To maintain and improve service standards, operators are investing in newer, cleaner, and more fuel-efficient buses, aiming to enhance passenger comfort and support environmental sustainability.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to balancing affordable fares with the need to provide safe, reliable, and efficient public transportation throughout Lagos State.
