OYOGist.com has learned that the Lagos Bus Services Limited (LBSL), operator of Marcopolo’s high capacity buses, said it has secured the state government’s approval for an upward revision of fares and the right to a dedicated lane for the Bus Rapid Transit, BRT.
LBSL’s Managing Director, Mr. Idowu Oguntona, made the announcement on Monday in a statement by Mr. Afolabi Olawale, the company’s Public Affairs Officer. Oguntona said the permits would be effective on August 1st. He said the company had received approval from the state government for an average 46 percent increase in LBSL’s transportation costs.
The head of the LBSL said, “The governor’s permit to use the BRT corridor is intended to give travelers a better experience on the streets of Lagos.”
“The increase in passenger numbers and fares will be necessary to allow the company to continue operations after the negative impact of the COVID 19 pandemic on public bus transportation.”
“The Governor also approved the LBSL’s request to increase the number of passengers per bus from 20 to 42, in strict compliance with the updated COVID-19 safety protocol, as required by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, for the operation of public transport, while ensuring that all other measures are taken.”
According to him, as part of the ongoing reforms of the LBSL, the government has also granted bus operators permission to carry passengers without standing space to full capacity. He said this must be done in strict compliance with the necessary safety protocols.
The manager said COVID 19 guidelines, which limited the company to carrying no more than 20 passengers per bus, had affected the operation of the buses. He said the development had led to a 72 percent drop in the company’s revenue, while operating costs had remained fairly constant.
Oguntona described the governor’s approval as a long awaited request from the authority. In his opinion, news of the permit came at such a crucial time, when travelers needed it most, which made it possible to predict travel times in the bus lane corridors.
In his opinion, the permit granted by the Governor now allows LBSL buses to use the BRT corridor from Berger on the Ikorodu to Leventis, TBS and Obalende road and also from Oshodi on the Ikorodu to Leventis, Inner-Marina, TBS and Obalende road among several other routes.
Oguntona also paid tribute to the efforts of the Ministry of Transport and the Great Lakes State Transport Authority, LAMATA, for their tireless efforts to move the company forward.
He assured the residents of Lagos that the company would continue to increase its efforts to make public transport in the state of Lagos serious.
