Intra-urban mobility: the place of para-transit operations in the ancient town of Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Peter Bolaji Oladeji ,Hafeez Idowu Agbabiaka

doi:10.20858/sjsutst.2021.111.9

Abstract

This study examined the effectiveness of para-transit transport activities by identifying the socioeconomic characteristics of both the passengers and drivers of public transport and the factors confronting their operation. It utilised primary and secondary data. A purposive sampling technique was employed which entailed the identification of all the motor parks, the selection of buses, minibuses and cars at the motor parks, major bus stops and conducting a survey using a structured questionnaire cum interview. Questionnaires were administered to 354 respondents to obtain information about their socioeconomic, trip characteristics and the unconventional public transport operations, of which a total of 312 questionnaires were duly completed and returned. Data collected were analysed using simple descriptive techniques and correlation analysis. The results showed that the majority of the passengers (61.4%) were within the 21 – 30 years age bracket while 43.7% of the drivers were within the 31-40 years age bracket, the patrons and the operators of the public transport are predominantly low-income earners as large proportion of the passengers (42.1%) earned below ₦10,000 per month while 46.9% of the drivers earned between ₦10,001 and ₦20,000 per month. The results of the correlation analysis indicated both the drivers’ and passengers’ perspectives, factors such as public transport conditions, road quality and drainage system are highly correlated between their paired variables. Hence, effort should be made by the government and public transport operators to improve the transport infrastructural facilities in the study area.

Highlights

Public transport, commonly referred to as public transportation or public transit, is a shared passenger transportation service available for use by the public, as distinct from other modes such as taxicabs, carpooling or hired buses, which are not shared by strangers without private arrangement
Effort should be made by the government and public transport operators to improve the transport infrastructural facilities in the study area
The trip characteristics of the public transport in the study area are presented in Figures 1 to 3

Summary

Introduction

Commonly referred to as public transportation or public transit, is a shared passenger transportation service available for use by the public, as distinct from other modes such as taxicabs, carpooling or hired buses, which are not shared by strangers without private arrangement. Public transport modes include buses, trolleybuses, trams and trains. According to Barnum et al (2007), factors such as service productivity and efficiency are essential in this respect as they influence public transport demand and patronage. Matas (2004) opined that the public transport environment is dynamic and even interactive. It includes a combination of alternative transport modes, various types of passengers with different travel purposes, different travel frequencies and different travel times. The existence of various transport modes allows for transition between those modes for passengers. In such an environment, the demand or patronage is relatively dynamic and volatile

Methods

Results

Conclusion