In the bid to cushion the effect of economic challenges on its commuters and provide affordable public commuting, Ikorodu-based operators of the blue Bus Rapid Transit Franchise, Primero Transport Services Limited, has concluded plans to slash the current flat rate of bus fares from Ikorodu to Tafawa Balewa Square corridors in the state.
The new fare regime will have five per cent reduction in bus fare across the routes which comprises of five zones from Ikorodu to Tafawa Balewa Square on Lagos Island.
According to the Managing Director of the transport company, Mr Fola Tinubu, who disclosed this last weekend, explained that the new fare regime was aimed at cushioning the current economic hardship, as well as to provide value for money to average commuters.
The five zones according to the company’s Managing Director are: Ikorodu to Mile 12, Mile 12 to Maryland, Maryland to Fadeyi, Fadeyi to Constain and Constain to TBS.
The new bus fare implies that bus fare will now be charged based on commuting from one zone to another, as against the former flat rate. Passengers commuting from Ikorodu to Maryland will now pay #150, as against the current charge of #200, Ikorodu to Fadeyi is now #200 instead of #250, while passengers going to Constain from Ikorodu will now pay #250 as against the current charge of #300. The company however retains #300 as transport fare form Ikorodu to Tafawa Balewa Square.
“The new fare is a lot cheaper for passengers doing shorter distances because most of the BRT passengers who are going short distances had complained of paying as much as those going those going long distances, hence, the need for the review of the fares, which will be done according to the dictates of our economy”, said Mr Tinubu.
Also on moves to boost its fleet, the Managing Director said the company had sent letter of intention to the Lagos State Government on the bid to operate on the new Abule-Egba to Oshodi BRT Corridor, which is currently under construction. He added that about 300 new buses will be injected to operate along the new corridor alone when completed, while about 434 buses are currently operating along Ikorodu-TBS Corridor.
