Cowry Card: Lagos State commences contactless payment

On Mar 23, 2021

The Lagos State Metropolitan Transport Authority (LAMATA) has commenced a long-awaited contactless payment card called “Cowry Card”.

Mr. Idowu Oguntona, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Lagos Bus Services Ltd., declared that the move is to ensure safe, fast and secured transportation across the metropolis, while noting that the new mode of payment is in tandem with what is operational in other smart cities.

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.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, @Lbslng, 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.@jidesanwoolu @drobafemihamzat @lagosmot18 @dr_oladeinde pic.twitter.com/W5V1ivS6aY

— The Lagos State Govt (@followlasg) March 22, 2021

Oguntona 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.

“The use of cowry cards becomes necessary considering the population density of Lagos State, which requires an effective transportation system,” he said.

He promised that the Lagos Bus Services Ltd. (LBSL) will continuously provide a unique commuting experience to its teeming customers at affordable fares and appealed to residents of Lagos to take advantage of the opportunity provided by the present administration to reduce traffic congestion in the State.

He 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.

Amaka E. Nliam