Some users of Bus Rapid Transit -BRT transport in Lagos on Sunday expressed their views over the 100 naira increase in transportation fare which took effect on July 13. They spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria -NAN in Lagos.
NAN reports that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had approved the increase of 100 naira on all routes of the BRT to cover the increase in operational costs, such as diesel and spare parts.
A printer, Mr. Saka Lawal, who resides in Ikorodu and works at Fadeyi, had stated that the state government should have at least paid attention to the opinion of the people before the final implementation.
Lawal, who is a constant BRT passenger, disclosed that they had been discussing with the government through their WhatsApp platform for about a month before the final outcome. He said that the money was a lot to some individuals and there was fear that other commercial buses would follow suit and increase their fares.
Lawal asked the government to provide additional buses, most especially at Ikorodu, to alleviate the problem of long queues which cause several residents to get to their respective offices late daily.
Mr. Adewale Johnson, a banker on Lagos Island, however, added that the 100-naira increment was reasonable but went on to say that there should be more buses to reduce the crowd at the bus stops to the least minimum.
