The Lagos State Government has reduced the transport fares of all state-owned transport systems by 50 per cent, effective from Wednesday, August 2.

Speaking at a press briefing on Monday at the Lagos House, Ikeja, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu stressed that the state government is working towards rolling out these palliatives to lessen the pain that the removal of subsidy has brought on the citizens.

Sanwo-Olu added that modalities have also been put in place by the informal transportation sector, especially the yellow buses (danfo buses), to slash their charges by 25 per cent.

The Lagos state governor also pledged to distribute foodstuff to the vulnerable in the state, which are all efforts at cushioning the effects of the fuel subsidy removal.

In his words, “We’ve had extensive conversations with all of the stakeholders in our transport system, both formal and informal modes of transportation, and we have come to a conclusion, which the state government will be supporting.

“Immediately from Wednesday, all public transportations that are being controlled by LAMATA, all of the high capacity buses, will be plying all the routes of Lagos at 50 per cent discount, and all commuters that will be plying these routes will start enjoying a 50 per cent rebate on the transport fares that are currently being charged on all of these routes“.

He added, “For the informal buses, they are also going to make a pronouncement today, and I can say to you that we have agreed with them that they will be doing about 25 per cent reduction on their buses — all of the yellow buses that we have on the streets.”

Sanwo-Olu also said more staff buses had been procured for workers of the state civil service to make commuting to and from work easier for them.