The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Lagos Bus Services Limited (LBSL), Mr. Idowu Oguntona, has stated that the company commenced deployment of the long-awaited contactless payment card called Cowry Card from Monday, 22nd March, 2021.

Oguntona, who disclosed this in a release issued on Monday, said in appreciating the trust and support of the masses for its operations, the company has initiated a promotion that will reward customers with 20,000 Free Cowry Cards across its approved stations and routes.

According to him, the Cowry Card recently introduced by the Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority (LAMATA) is designed to ease the process of payment and making daily commuting pleasurable and stress-free, just with a tap of the card.

“All you have to do is ‘Tap-In’ at the beginning of your journey and ‘Tap-Out’ when alighting from the bus. I will implore our teeming customers to visit our stations, register, get their cards and start using it immediately”, Oguntona explained.

While noting that the new mode of payment is in tandem with what is in operational in other smart cities, the Managing Director declared that the move is to ensure safe, fast and secured transportation across the metropolis.

Oguntona added that the use of cowry card becomes necessary considering the population density of Lagos State which requires an effective transportation system.

He promised that LBSL will continuously provide a unique commuting experience to its teeming customers at affordable fares and appealed to Lagosians to take the advantage of the opportunity provided by the present administration to reduce traffic congestion in Lagos State in line with the T.H.E.M.E.S. agenda.

The Managing Director also encouraged Lagosians to imbibe the culture of using public bus transit to eliminate unnecessary traffic gridlock on roads as well as reduce stress and cost of maintaining their vehicles.