Lekki Concession Company (LCC) , which is in charge of the Lekki toll plaza and the Lekki- Ikoyi Link Bridge toll plaza has notified users of an increase in toll charges for both plazas effective Wednesday November 8 2017.
The new charges
Users of the Admiralty Toll Plaza will now pay N100 for Motorcycles, N200 for saloon cars and tricycles, N250 for Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs), N400 for lightweight buses, N1000 for heavy duty trucks /buses with 2 more axles and N150 for Danfo buses.
Prior to the increase, Danfo buses paid N80, saloon cars N120, SUVs and mini vans and pick ups N150. Light trucks and two axle buses N250, heavy duty trucks N350.
For those using the Link Bridge Plaza (commonly known as Fashola Bridge), motorcycles will now pay N200, Saloon cars N300, Mini Vans and SUVs and Light Trucks N400, and heavy trucks N500. Formerly, motorcycle users paid N100, saloon cars N250, SUVs, mini vans and pick up users N300, and heavy trucks N400.
Expect a push back
The proposed increase may not be smooth sailing for the company, as commuters are likely to protest its timing. Many of them have also questioned what extra value will be derived from the increase. The company did not give any reasons why it was embarking on the increase. The Lagos State House of Assembly, could decide to weigh in and ask for a suspension of the increase.
The state government, ironically in 2013, had given the need to protect users from indiscriminate increase in tolls, as the reason for its acquisition of the concession rights and toll revenue benefits held by the Lekki Concession Company (LCC). Prior to the acquisition, the company was owned by a consortium of investors led by ARM Plc.
Implications of an increase
An increase in toll fees will lead to an increase in transport fares along those routes, especially by danfo buses whose drivers will be reluctant to absorb the added cost. Delivery costs will also go up, as the toll fee for heavy trucks went up more than a 100%.
