Public transportation is the means of traveling by public vehicles. Just last week, I had it in mind to suggest this topic, although differently, but seeing it today caught my attention.
There are so many hindrances to traveling through public buses or vehicles. Most especially in Nigeria. Although it is also common everywhere in the world.
In where I reside, transportation has been the major problem of the day. Everyone traveling would always go early just to beat the traffic. If not so, one would get stocked by traffic, forgetting the place you wanted to go. Sporadically, one may even lose opportunities just because of this public transportation thing.
One other thing I can pinpoint is the area of scarcity of fuel. This has been a major difficulty and hindrance to transportation in Nigeria. Today, the price of fuel would just go on the high side; tomorrow, you will see the new face of it turning everyone to be just like a fool.
The only people who are enjoying this situation are the rich. To be honest, the poor are suffering, and the government does not want to do anything about it; instead, it just wants to make everything tough.
My husband last week wanted to go for an interview in Lagos. I had asked him to go early, but he refused, saying that the road was not as busy as before. He had forgotten that he was in Lagos. Although the situation is not as bad as before, where people had to trek so many miles before reaching their destinations. My husband doubted me and went late. Reaching the road, he got in the vehicle on time and headed for his destination. He was so happy that he had got the vehicle earlier than he thought. Reaching the middle of the distance, the story changed. He was supposed to get to the venue by noon, as he left around 10 a.m. The distance is just 1 hour 30 minutes drive.
He later said that he had been stocked along the road as it was covered by vehicles. The traffic has no end and no beginning. They stayed in the traffic for about an hour before it was finally cleared.
He got to his destination by 1:30 pm, making him lose that appointment.
So, the traffic in Lagos State is alarming, although reducing a bit.
My husband at the time suggested buying a motorcycle, but I did not agree with his decision. He had said to me that the cost was cutting his neck to the last level, but buying a motorcycle was not part of it. Most people have turned to using bicycles just because of the cost of petrol.
Another thing is the comfortability. One would not be comfortable while traveling in public vehicles. Most drivers have the habit of jam-packing their vehicles with too many passengers. They are not following the rules behind the use of vehicles.
Both public and private have similar things. When the fuel price has increased, just like the present situation in Nigeria, no one would be able to use his or her car except when entering public transportation.
Way out
The government should just find a way of adding fuel subsidies just to make life easy.
Secondly, the road should be made several lanes just to ease the transportation issues. When the road is free, everyone would get to their different destination on time.