Several commercial bus drivers in Ibadan, Oyo State, have been lamenting the low turnout of passengers before and during the eid-el-Fitr celebration and holidays.
The central motor parks at Sango and Iwo Road, and the Ojoo bus terminal showed drivers practically left with nothing to do.
This was because there was no increase recorded in inter-state commuting.
One of the commercial drivers, Musibao Alani, said that there was nothing signifying any celebration or holiday, as there had been a low turnout of passengers.
“People are not travelling like before and it is understandable because of the present economic situation. Everyone is managing the little resources available to them. So, travelling is not a top priority for many people,” Mr Alani said.
Chairman, Saki Motor Park, Michael Adelokun, said in spite of the extension of the holidays by the Federal Government, most people seemed to have planned not to travel.
Mr Adelokun stated that there had been a low patronage as passengers were not coming out en masse as was obtainable during the last holidays.
“People have not been coming out due to lack of money, even as we have not increased the cost of transportation.
“Due to the general low purchasing power of Nigerians, it is difficult to increase transport fares in the midst of skyrocketing prices of goods and services,” he said.
Also, a passenger, Ashiru Mukaila, said he stayed for hours waiting for the car to Lagos to be filled up, pointing out that this was unusual.
Another passenger, Bunmi Tomori, said while she had to travel because the holidays would enable her to be with her family, the trip was taking too much out of her.
“There has been no significant increase in the transport fares, but only few passengers are around, and this is taking too much of my time,” she said.
