Festive season: transporters lament low patronage

Commercial drivers at inter-state motor parks in Lagos State lamented low patronage by travellers on Saturday.

Some transporters who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria, complained of low turnout on the side of travellers, therefore ascribing the development to the security menace rocking the country, fuel shortage and the poor economic system, among others reason.

The General Manager, Operation, Ekeson, in Jibowu, Lagos, Mr Ndubisi Madu, bemoaned low passenger traffic during this festive period compared to last year.

“From our station at Alaba and Jibowu, we have been loading two luxurious buses, which is not constant.

“In previous years, from December 15th, you would see people moving because there was something in the pocket.

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“Insecurity in other parts of the country also affected our patronage, the patronage has not been consistent,” Madu said.

A commercial driver, Mr Sharafa Ashubiaro, working with Peace Transport at Ojota, also faulted the constant traffic jam along the eastern region.

“We face a lot of traffic jam from Benin to Onitsha, Auchi, Asaba; we spend hours in traffic along Benin bypass, Asaba bypass.

“We hardly bring back passengers from the eastern part of the country while coming back to Lagos and we will fuel the bus to and fro.”

Another commercial driver, Friday Dominic, said from Lagos to Enugu and Ebonyi, they charged N20,000 while they also face the challenge bad road networks.

A traveller, Mr Monday Akpan, said he paid N22,000 as transport fare to Calabar and paid N9,000 for luggage.