Lagos reintroduces 25% fare discount on public transportation

• Published On: 18 August 2024 at 16:26

The Lagos State Government has announced the return of a 25% discount on fares for all regulated modes of transport, including buses, ferries and trains.

This decision is part of the larger "Eko Cares" initiative, which seeks to alleviate residents' economic hardships.

The announcement, made on Saturday via the official X (formerly Twitter) account, is the latest phase of the government's "Eko Cares" program, which also includes medical assistance and reduced transportation and food costs. The fare discount is being reintroduced just two months after its previous iteration expired on June 2, following an earlier reintroduction in February.

The government emphasised that the fare reduction is intended to help residents cope with ongoing economic pressures. "It is all part of Eko Cares, the umbrella program of the state government's interventions to cushion the effects of economic hardship," according to a statement. "This includes the 'Ounjè Eko' initiative, which offers a 25% reduction on basic food items, and the 25% fare cut on all government transport platforms."

The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, which oversees the state's regulated transportation services, will provide more information about how this fare discount will be implemented.

Since 2023, the Lagos State Government has adjusted fare discounts for public transport in response to economic challenges. After President Bola Tinubu's administration removed fuel subsidies, a 50% fare rebate was implemented.

This measure, which took effect from August 2 to November 6, 2023, aimed to offset rising living costs. Due to ongoing economic difficulties, a 25% discount was implemented on November 7, 2023, and will remain in effect until January 28, 2024.

The 25% fare discount was reinstated in February 2024, but was temporarily suspended on June 3, 2024. To encourage the use of the Blue Line metro rail, a 25% fare reduction was implemented for off-peak hours between Mile 2 and Marina on August 12, 2024.

These initiatives reflect the government's ongoing efforts to strike a balance between fiscal policies and the need for economic relief in Lagos, which is experiencing fluctuating economic conditions.