Struggle for Sustainable Public Transport in Southwestern Nigerian Cities

Abstract

Public transport contributes significantly to the development of socioeconomic activities and the long-term sustainability of all communities worldwide. Undoubtedly, it is a catalyst for maximizing quality urban living, social service accessibility, and environmental balance. Despite its considerable importance and benefits, public transport in Nigeria is still poorly practiced, and plagued by complex operational challenges. Based on this context, we assessed the public transport systems in Ikeja-Lagos, Abeokuta, and Ibadan cities to understand the struggle for sustainability in Nigeria. This study examined the socioeconomic and travel characteristics of passengers, the availability and condition of public transport infrastructural facilities, peculiar public transport challenges, and the best possible strategies to sustain public transport systems in Nigeria. The study employed a cross-sectional survey research design, while a multistage sampling technique was utilized to administer a well-validated questionnaire on the passengers at central transport nodes within the selected cities using both descriptive and inferential analysis. The results show that most of the respondents are men and spend more than 10% of their monthly income on public transport usage. Findings show that conventional public transport has been proven unpopular in Ibadan and Abeokuta cities compared to a chaotic and inadequate bus rapid system in Ikeja-Lagos. Findings also revealed traffic signal and control devices, and terminal facilities as top-two rated public transport facilities in good condition. The study revealed that public transport modes across the selected cities are operationally cracked as they are characterized by unprecedented challenges. The results of the Analysis of Variance established a statistical significant variation among the challenges mitigating sustainable public transport in the selected Nigerian cities. The study concludes and recommends, among other measures, full-adoption of appropriate mass transit options, particularly intra-city rail and the development of multimodal transport system.

Modelling the Influence of Service Quality of Travel Mode on Tourism Satisfaction in Lagos State, Nigeria. A Tourist-Based Perception Study

“…Tourism remains a vital component of the economies of many major destination cities and nations around the world [27,29]. Considering the importance of tourism to national development, countries endowed with many natural tourist attractions and destinations continue to invest in the sector to boost not only the tourism development, experiences, image, and sustainability of tourism activities in diverse ways but also open opportunities for economic diversification, improved quality of life, and sustainability of the ecosystem [8,26]. Ref.…”

“…In addition, Ref. [8,26] observed that tourism has the potential to diversify the economy and reduce dependence on traditional industries, including agriculture, manufacturing, and the public health sector. Ref.…”

“…However, there has been an established symbiotic relationship between tourism and the transport system, upon which various modal options such as road, rail, ferry, and aviation ensure seamless satisfaction of tourists, boosting the tourism image, and sustainability of the tourist destinations over the years. Precisely, without transport, no tourism activities can be undertaken in the right direction [17,26]. Specifically, it is primarily saddled with the basic responsibilities of bringing the tourists and other tourism beneficiaries to the destination zones, moving around the attraction places during the period of the tour, and taking them back to their respective origins once the tour is over [26].…”

“…Precisely, without transport, no tourism activities can be undertaken in the right direction [17,26]. Specifically, it is primarily saddled with the basic responsibilities of bringing the tourists and other tourism beneficiaries to the destination zones, moving around the attraction places during the period of the tour, and taking them back to their respective origins once the tour is over [26].…”

“…Meanwhile, Ref. [26] noted that these observed constraints, which summed up to aggravate the transport system operational and management challenges, consequently constrain Lagos State and many tourism states in Nigeria from benefiting meaningfully from the lucrative tourism industries, promoting tourism's fluctuating revenue, mitigating tourism patronage, and improving tourism's image and tourist experiences.…”