Some major motor parks in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, on Friday experienced a low turnout of passengers contrary to the expected Easter holiday rush.
A visit by the News Agency of Nigeria to motor parks at Iwo Road and Ojoo Bus Terminals revealed there was no surge in inter-state commuting.
According to the Chairman, Saki Motor Park, Mr Michael Adelokun, the number of buses moving from the park to their different destinations was a far cry from the expected number.
He said it was obvious passengers were no longer travelling in their numbers unlike what used to obtain.
“People have not been coming out due to lack of money, although we have not increased the cost of transportation. A bus to Saki costs N3,000, while a car goes for N3,500.
“These have been the costs for a long time now despite the unfriendly economy,” he said.
He noted that the cost of petrol with car maintenance was becoming burdensome on their earnings from the business.
Adelokun said the cost of engine oil had jumped from about N3,500 and N4,000 to N16,000.
“Same for the cost of tyres, which had increased from between N28,000 and N30,000 to N65,000.
“Due to the general low purchasing power of Nigerians, it is difficult to increase transport fare in the midst of skyrocketing prices of goods and services,” he said.
Also, the Secretary, Park Management System, Iwo Road Motor Park, Mr Isahu Salawu, said people stayed back in their homes because they needed to manage their spending.
The lack of financial strength, he said, had impacted their business negatively, making festive periods look ordinary at the parks.
Salawu decried the high cost of petrol and other overheads incurred in the transportation system, adding that despite all, fares did not increase.
“We have just left the transportation fare as it is so as not to add to the burden of passengers as we are all struggling in this economy,” he said.
A passenger, Mr Tafa Alaba, however, said the fare to Iseyin had increased from between N1,300 and N1,500 to N1,700.
Despite the slight increase, which he said was bearable, he concluded that not many people still thought it wise to travel as they used to.
A passenger heading to Lagos for the Easter holiday, Miss Tobiloba Samuel, said the fare of N2,500 for buses and N3,600 for cars rose to N3,600 and N4,100 respectively.
NAN observed that the usual hustling and bustling characterising festive periods in motor parks were missing.
NAN
