21st August, 2011
The management of BRT has bowed to the public outcry that followed the increase in its fares from N50 to N70 per trip by reducing the fare to N50.
Findings by P.M.NEWS over the weekend show that passengers travelling from Oshoidi to Iyana Ipaja with BRT buses are now paying N50 instead of the N70 that was being charged some months back.
A ticketer told our reporter that the management of the transport agency was forced revert to the old fare when it became apparent that Lagosians were no longer riding BRT buses due to the increase in the fare.
Further checks show that the passengers on a trip from Ikotun through Iyana Ipaja from Ikeja as at Saturday, 20 August, 2011 paid N70 to Iyana Ipaja and N140 to Ikotun.
The driver of one of the buses said that the fare was only applicable this weekend as it will be reversed by Monday, 22 August, 2011.
According to him, from Monday passengers on a trip to Ikotun and Iyana Ipaja will pay N100 and N50 per trip, even as those linking Yaba, CMS, and Lagos Island will equally pay less for their trips.
An official of the transport agency, who refused to disclose his name, told P.M.NEWS on phone Saturday afternoon that the company has purchased more buses and employed more drivers in order to effectively cover Lagos.
The official boasted that BRT is determined to beat the Lagos state government owned buses in transport business.
 By Emmanuel Udom