By Imisioluwa Afunmiso
The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has issued a warning to commuters against making cash payments for transit, reiterating that cash transactions are strictly prohibited across all regulated public transport services in Lagos State.
In a public notice, the transportation authority directed passengers to strictly utilize approved fare channels primarily the electronic Cowry Card or risk being denied boarding on regulated routes.
LAMATA emphasized that the no-cash mandate applies across the entire state-integrated transport network, including the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), Standard Routes, First-Mile-Last-Mile (FMLM) buses, as well as rail and ferry services.
The agency cautioned that enforcement will be strictly applied to both sides of the transaction. Drivers and ground personnel caught accepting cash fares from commuters will face immediate sanctions and potential legal prosecution.
According to the authority, the cashless policy is vital to driving transparency, accountability, and seamless efficiency throughout the state’s mass transit network.
Calling on operators and field staff to strictly adhere to official collection procedures, LAMATA reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining world-class operational standards and building a modern transportation system for Lagos.