Efficiency of Public Transport Operation in Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria

Abstract

The operational and service efficiency of public transport in Lokoja, the capital city of Kogi State was examined. Data used for this study was generated from copies of questionnaire administered to public transport operators and passengers at approved intra-state terminals. The operational characteristics were generated from the terminals operators, while the passengers supplied the service characteristics. A total number of 170 passengers representing 10% of the daily patronage were randomly sampled. Simple descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution and percentages for the analysis were adopted in the study. Findings revealed that the operation of public transport is solely by private individuals who make use of low occupancy vehicles (cars and space bus) for intra-state public travels. An average of N300 ($1.523) loading fee is charged per trip by the terminal operators. The average travel cost per passenger is N7 ($0.036) per km which is believed to be expensive by majority of the passengers. The major purpose for trip making by passengers was for business, trade, work and school. The average waiting time of passengers at the terminals is 30 minutes of which majority of them see as time wasting. In terms of safety and reliability, the public transport was found to be efficient as attested to by 70% and 64% of the passengers respectively. However, the services were rated poor for comfortability, vehicles quality and cleanliness. It was recommended from the study that loan facilities should be provided to the
operators to enable them acquire high occupancy vehicles for intra state public transport in Lokoja