Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced a 50% reduction in the transit charge of all Lagos state government-run vehicles on Wednesday, February 8, which has left an expression of awe and wonderd on commuters' faces in Lagos.

Since Lagos State Governor Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced a 50% reduction in the transit charge of all Lagos states government-run vehicles on Wednesday, February 8, the expression of wonder on commuters' faces in Lagos has yet to abate.

In Lagos, impending upheavals could resemble the "ENDSARS" or surpass it if not properly managed. Moreover, the increased fuel prices combined with the current Naira scarcity worsened transportation expenses.

Passengers started paying extortionate transportation costs that exceeded 200%, as levied by the well-known commercial yellow buses that were common on the Lagos roadways. 

The expensive price of PMS, more commonly known as gasoline, jumped from N162 to N350 per liter at most filling stations. The lengthy wait time before having your car refueled was also cited as contributing factor by commercial drivers.

So, the travelers from Lagos were at the mercy of the transport companies, who were determined to maintain their enormous profits despite the screams of the helpless populace.

The commuting public was mired in the mire during the holiday season, and it only got worse when there weren't enough fresh Naira notes available in the new year, which was poised to suffocate everyone.

The Lagos state government's move has been lauded as the finest to come from the election of a leader since the return to democratic rule in 1999 by the highly critical commuter public, who find the majority of recent government initiatives, especially those emanating from the Federal government, distasteful.

They argued that this policy affects everyone, regardless of class or demographics, and touches both the wealthy and the poor. The state administration has received several compliments from some of the passengers who Daily Independent interviewed on Tuesday and Thursday of last week.

Temitope Abolore, a regular commuter on the BRT buses from Meiran to Oshodi who works for a manufacturing company in Ilupeju, claimed that When the announcement was first made the announcement, they did not take it seriously, thinking it was a bribe to Lagosians over APC governments' failure.

However, the last announcement came from the government that it should be sustained until the easing of the current fuel and cash crisis. He then sincerely appreciated Governor A

When Bro. Shipe's fashion business in Ajao Estate required him to use the BRT in between days because he could no longer consistently fuel his car to get him from his home in Alakuko to Ajao Estate. He stated how anxious he was.

He said: "Yesterday Monday, I got to the BRT station in Meiran with only N700 in the hope of loading my cowrie card with N500, which is sufficient for a trip only to Oshodi under the previous regime.

But, of course, I would have to believe in a miracle to return home that day. Still, to my surprise, after clicking my card, I discovered only N250, half of the money, was deducted."

Later that evening, I made the return trip using the card's remaining balance. Again, I sincerely appreciate the Lagos State Government for this beneficial and highly productive program.

Osinachi Philips, a trader, and mother of two young daughters, also expressed how happy she is about the decrease in the BRT fares, saying, "The stress of getting cash is enough trouble for LRT riders. 

She also expressed how thrilled she is about the decrease in the BRT fares, saying, "The stress of getting cash is enough trouble for Lagiosians, and to compound with its on the high cost of transportation will crush the living daylight out of anyone." 

She continues her journey to her store in Mushin, dropping at Oshodi, her final destination on the BRT. "The rebate has lightened our obligations, so we can confront others head-on. Because Sanwo-Olu is performing well in Lagos, I have already decided to support him.

Another round of interviews with a variety of other passengers conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria revealed a concerted expression of thanks to the federal government for the fee reduction on its Bus Rapid Transit, commending the state government for providing them with relief as the seven-day 50% fare reduction on state-run buses got underway.

The passengers stated that in the face of the ongoing fuel crisis, what the Lagos state government did to every stratum of Nigerians living in the State, regardless of tribe or creed, is legendary in the face of the crippling cash and fuel shortage that has left many in the nation today handicapped and made the state government's action necessary.

Mr. Jude Samuel, a rider on the BRT from Costain to Lagos, expressed his gratitude to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for providing relief when they most needed it. However, Samuel declared that he was content to give CMS N200 rather than N400.

Another traveler, Mrs. Remi Kuti, claimed that the higher ticket prices had prevented her from traveling till now to see her sick brother, who lives in Gberigbe, Ikorodu. However, Kuti said the government's decreased fare made her journey possible.

Mrs. Adijat Sulaimon, a pepper vendor, praised Gov. Sanwo-Olu for providing people another chance to control the lack of money circulation in the nation.
When explaining why the tickets were being reduced by 50%, the governor stated that the steps were implemented to lessen the impact of the fuel crisis and the financial crunch.

In his message to Lagos residents about the country's continuing cash and fuel shortages, Sanwo-Olu mentioned that the state government had also stopped road construction on Ijegun Egba to allow petrol tankers to deliver the product to places that trucks had previously found impossible to reach.

In thanking Lagosians for their tolerance, endurance, and fortitude throughout this trying time, Babajide Sanwo-Olu urged them to maintain peace. In an exclusive interview with Daily Independent, Primero Transport Services Limited's media head, Mutiu Lekan, said:

"Over 50,000 passengers are transported daily by his organization on the Ikorodu to TBS and Abule-Egba to Oshodi BRT corridor, stressing that the management of the company is fully committed to the arrangement of the Lagos State governments in the areas of BRT operations and public transportation

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Further asserting that the move by the state government has the full support of the company's management and is in the best interests of Lagosians, Mutiu expressed hope that the government could sustain it with regular shipments of the necessary diesel and spare parts for BRT operations in Lagos State. 

The move, he continued, is intended to lessen the current challenges faced by the people due to the shortage of Naira and fuel.

He suggested that bus operating firms should be given incentives and tax breaks to pay their employees on time. In addition, the government should encourage public transportation by providing operators with subsidies to ease the populace's suffering.
If the federal and State governments in Nigeria were willing to provide public transportation subsidies similar to those found in industrialized nations throughout the world, he continued, "it might also be sustained."

The BRT Lite, a rapid, dependable, cozy, and accessible bus-based transit system, was put into passenger service in March 2008 along the CMS-Mile 12 Corridor to address Lagos's significant transportation issues.

With the BRT's phenomenal popularity and daily ridership of over 200,000, which is more than 150% higher than anticipated passenger numbers, an extension of the BRT from Mile 12 to Ikorodu was launched in November 2015. 

In addition, the Oshodi-Abule-Egba Corridor acquired a second BRT service in August 2020, which was highly greeted by commuters who previously needed more than two hours to complete the 13.5 km route.

It should be emphasized that when the Lagos BRT was planned, the transport providers along the route were viewed as significant partners and encouraged to establish cooperatives and businesses to take part in operating buses. This helped them buy-in and was essential to the project's success.

By significantly increasing the number of pedestrian bridges at most bus stops along the BRT lanes, the Lagos BRTs have also improved urban health and safety. Pedestrian bridges make it simpler and safer for commuters to cross streets and get to bus stops.

In addition to BRT commuters, the general public also uses the recently constructed pedestrian bridges to cross from the other side of the road, boosting overall pedestrian safety.

This has resulted in a decrease in the incidence of accidents involving pedestrians and automobiles, as well as the new physical barriers that have been built on most corridors.