State-owned transport operators reject Sanwo-Olu’s 50% fare slash, charge as usual
All the Lagos State-owned transportation services, yesterday Thursday dared the Governor’s directive to cut their fares by 50% and went ahead to charge their normal fares throughout the day.
Recall that following nationwide tension caused by persistent fuel shortage and the debacle of currency exchange by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Lagos State Government had announced palliative measures to cushion effects of the crises on residents.
Otherwise, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday, directed 50 per cent fare reduction in all State-owned transportation services, effective Thursday (yesterday).
When our correspondent spoke with some of the drivers, they claimed that they are yet to get any official directive from their respective offices on the slash.
Operations affected by the directive included passengers using BRT buses, LAGRIDE taxi-scheme, First Mile and Last Mile buses, and Lagos Ferry Services (LAGFERRY) which the Governor said will be enjoyed for the next one week, using their Cowry Cards.
But that was not obeyed as fact-check across the operations showed that they charged their normal fares contrary to the Governor’s directive.
On the other hand, whereas the same Governor also gave express permission to all fuel stations operating within Lagos to commence 24-hour operations to allow residents buy fuel without having to stay in queues for hours, no filling station dared to stay for 24 hours because of insecurity.
