OPERATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN JOS METROPOLIS, NIGERIA.

Abstract

The mobility of people and materials especially in the present days is one of the greatest challenges facing public transport services in an urban area. Thus, necessitate the investigation into the operational characteristics of public transportation in Jos Metropolis, Nigeria. The inquiry into the operational characteristics of public transportation in Jos was done via the collection of primary and secondary data and the primary data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The primary data were obtained through administering of questionnaires to commercial transport operators at 2 selected bus parks, 3 motor Parks, 7 Tricycle parks and 5 motorcycle stand points. Oral interview was also done on commercial transport operators to extract necessary information in relation to the aim and objectives of the study. Findings revealed that majority (77.3%) of public transport operators in Jos falls below 41 years, 93.3% earns between N1,000 to NN80,000 monthly, 48.5% were married while, 89% were literate, 58% of public transport vehicles were owned by individuals with 35%overloading of buses occurring at peak periods during week days. This study therefore, recommends that in Jos metropolis, Government should encourage and introduce the use of high occupancy vehicles as a means of public transport at designated traffic corridors to increase carrying capacity of vehicles in order reduce waiting time of passengers at bus parks. Also, avenues for soft loan scheme must be encouraged to help prospective operators in order to be able to afford buying vehicles for public transport services. Finally, Gender sensitive policies must be formulated by the Government to encourage female membership and participation.