LAGOSIANS GROAN AS BRT INCREASES FARES FOR COMMUTERS
These are not the best of times for commuters in Lagos as the BRT, a Government-partnered transportation company in the State, has increased its fares.
The BRT Managing Director, Fola Tinubu, announced an increase in transport fares across all routes in the State which takes effect from today, May 29th, 2020.
Tinubu told newsmen that a trip that costs Lagosians N200 had increased to N300, and that of N300 had increased to N500.
Tinubu said he is well aware of the economic situation in the country but the decision is necessary to keep serving commuters effectively and to provide outstanding service for them.
He added that the hike in the price of dollars had increased the cost of maintaining the buses, and the firm is finding it difficult to sustain operations.
Commuters plying Ikorodu-CMS axis told journalists that the increase in fares at such a difficult time for the masses would further increase financial hardship and pains.
“Why are they doing this to the masses at a time when the government is supposed to be doing things that will make people survive this difficult time?
“Even if the hike is truly necessary, it should not be now. More so, there is no increase in pump price. This action is ill-timed.
“The Government is encouraging yellow buses to push up their fares, and then life will be more difficult. It should not be now, this will bring hardship,’’ Mr. Gift Wejem, a furniture maker, told newsmen.
A welder, Mr. Titus Oyedeji, who was Lekki-bound, from Ikorodu, said the hike displayed insensitivity from the Lagos State Government.
Oyedeji asked: “How can Government-controlled buses be thinking of profit-making at a time when the poor masses are fighting hard to survive? I am not happy at all.”
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