LAMATA To Begin Full Enforcement Of Cashless Bus Fare Payment August 1

The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has announced that it will commence full enforcement of its cashless fare payment policy on regulated public transport services across the state from August 1.

The agency said the move is aimed at strengthening accountability, improving transparency and ensuring strict compliance with electronic fare payment systems within Lagos’ regulated transport network.

Speaking during an X Space discussion with transport stakeholders and industry leaders titled “Lagos Cashless Transit: What Aug. 1 Enforcement Means to You,” LAMATA’s Head of Legal, Idris Akinola, said passengers are required by existing Lagos State regulations to pay fares using the approved electronic payment platform, the Cowry Card.

According to Akinola, both commuters who offer cash payments and transport operators who accept them may be held liable under the law, noting that unauthorized cash transactions constitute offences.

He urged transport operators to ensure that drivers and conductors comply fully with the policy, conduct internal monitoring and cooperate with LAMATA officials during enforcement operations.

Akinola warned that offenders convicted under the relevant laws could face severe penalties, including prison terms of up to seven years.

Managing Director of Teejay Motors, Adekunle Tajudeen, said the company had already trained its drivers and boarding officers ahead of the enforcement, directing them not to accept cash payments from passengers.

He disclosed that some drivers had previously been arrested and jailed for violating the cashless policy, adding that passengers also contribute to non-compliance by insisting on paying with cash.

Tajudeen further stated that the company had expanded its fleet and recruited additional drivers to minimize service disruptions should non-compliant personnel be removed from operations.

Transport and urban mobility expert, Adepoju Fawokon, said previous enforcement efforts that targeted only drivers had yielded limited results, stressing that both passengers and operators involved in cash transactions should be held accountable.

He noted that the cashless policy is intended to curb revenue leakages and enhance the sustainability of Lagos’ regulated public transport system.

Also speaking, Managing Director of Touch and Pay Technologies, Olamide Afolabi, said new measures had been introduced to address complaints relating to incorrect Cowry Card top-ups.

According to him, new platforms, including the Carry Hub platform, a mobile application and self-service top-up kiosks located at bus and rail terminals, will enable commuters to check balances, review transactions and fund their cards more conveniently.

Afolabi added that the planned expansion of a postpaid and single-card payment system before the end of the year would allow commuters to top up their Cowry Cards online and access funds instantly without first transferring them to a physical card.