In a move aimed at alleviating the financial strain caused by the current economic challenges, the Lagos State government has subsidized public transport fares with a staggering N14.9 billion.
This announcement was made by the State’s Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, during a ministerial briefing held on Tuesday to mark the second year of the second term of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration.
Speaking at the event, which took place at the Lagos State Secretariat in Alausa, Ikeja, Osiyemi emphasized the government’s commitment to improving the lives of commuters and promoting socioeconomic development through affordable public transportation. He was joined at the briefing by the State’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, as well as other Special Advisers to the Governor.
According to Osiyemi, the Lagos Bus Service Limited (LBSL) has played a crucial role in reducing transportation costs for residents. From May 2019 to February 2025, LBSL transported a total of 60,882,000 passengers, with an average of 42,266 passengers served daily.
The average fare for February 2025 was reported at N542.66, significantly lower than the informal public transport fare of N1,097.73. Osiyemi stated that, since its inception, LBSL fares have been consistently N261.67 cheaper than the average fare across Lagos, resulting in an implicit subsidy totaling N14.9 billion for commuters.
Osiyemi further highlighted the success of the LBSL Driving School, which has trained 144 new drivers, contributing to the growing pool of certified high-capacity bus drivers, bringing the total to 3,537 as of March 2025.
He emphasized the safety benefits of public transport, noting that it is safer than private vehicles in terms of accident rates and severity. Public transport also reduces traffic congestion and travel time, which contributes to the overall efficiency of the city.
In addition to the bus services, Osiyemi provided an update on the state’s bus reform initiative through the Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority (LAMATA). He revealed that three additional rolling stocks are expected to arrive in May, aimed at enhancing service delivery, particularly on the Blue Line Rail, which has seen increasing passenger numbers since its launch.
The Blue Line Rail, inaugurated in December 2022, is one of seven planned metro rail lines in Lagos. The first phase, covering the stretch from Marina to Mile 2, has already begun operations, transporting over two million passengers to date.
The entire Blue Line will span 27 kilometers, from Marina to Okokomaiko, with Phase 2 construction, extending the line from Mile 2 to Okokomaiko, underway. When fully completed, the Blue Line is expected to carry 500,000 passengers daily.
Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration continues to prioritize infrastructure development as a means of improving the lives of Lagosians, with public transport being a critical component of this vision. The ongoing investments in rail and bus services are designed to ease commuting challenges and foster economic growth in the state.
