Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) operators on Sunday commenced implementation of the marginal fare increase from Mile 12 to CMS.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) had in a flier in July announced the marginal increase.

A ride in the BRT bus from Mile 12 to Fadeyi and Moshalashi to CMS is now N70 as against the previous fare of N50 while Mile 12 to CMS, which was formerly N100, is now N120.

LAMATA Managing Director, Mr Dayo Mobereola, said the increase was due to increase in running cost.

He added that prices of tyres, spare parts, lubricants and other components had not been static since the commencement of the BRT operations about two years ago.

“The marginal increase to be effected therefore will assist in recovering some cost operations, give members of the commuting public efficient services and ensure system sustainability.

“We want this system to outlive us, hence the need for all of us to contribute our efforts in ensuring that the system is sustainable,” Mobereola said.

He said since inception, BRT had moved 120 million passengers using 220 buses and had created more than 2,000 direct and 3,000 indirect jobs.

NAN reports that BRT commenced operations on March 17, 2008 with 220 buses.

Meanwhile, mixed reactions have greeted the marginal fare increase.

Mr Innocent Edet, a commuter, said that the fare hike was unnecessary because the buses were provided to alleviate the problem of transportation.

“The increase will bring hardship because the other commercial buses will seize the opportunity to double their fares with a corresponding increase by operators,” Edet said.

A civil servant, Mr Christopher Aigbe, said in spite of the increase, the benefit of BRT could not be compared to the hardship if the buses were sent off the road because of the cost of maintenance.

http://pmnewsnigeria.com/2010/08/02/brt-operators-increase-fare-by-30-percent/