Use Cowry Card: Passengers To Face Penalties For Cash Payments Starting August 1, LAMATA Warns

Use Cowry Card: Cash-paying Passengers to face penalties from Saturday, August 1, 2026, LAMATA warns. 

LAMATA said paying cash drains operators’ legitimate revenue, weakens the sustainability of public transport services. 

Agency urged passengers to purchase Cowry card at designated bus stops and Blue or Red Line train stations.

The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has announced that effective Saturday, August 1, 2026, commuters who pay with cash on regulated Lagos buses instead of the approved Cowry card will face enforcement penalties.

“While bus drivers, and ground staff found collecting cash have previously been arrested, prosecuted, and in some cases jailed, commuters who knowingly pay cash will now also face arrest and prosecution”, LAMATA said in a statement.

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LAMATA said paying cash on regulated buses is illegal, noting that it drains operators’ legitimate revenue and weakens the sustainability of public transport services. The agency urged passengers to purchase the card at designated bus stops and Blue or Red Line train stations.

“Revenue losses have made it increasingly difficult for operators to procure spare parts, maintain buses, restore unserviceable vehicles to operation, and meet critical obligations, including the payment of staff salaries.”

LAMATA reaffirmed its commitment to upgrading public transport services across Lagos by ensuring that more buses are returned to service and that commuters enjoy safe, reliable, and efficient transportation.

“However, this objective can only be achieved when fare revenues are fully protected, enabling operators to recover operating costs and maintain serviceable fleets,” LAMATA said in a statement.

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