Easter: Few people visited the Oyo motor parks

In contrast to the anticipated Easter vacation rush, there was a low passenger turnout at several major car parks in the capital city of Oyo State on Friday.

The News Agency of Nigeria observed interstate traffic patterns at the Ojoo Bus Terminals and Iwo Road motor parks, but found no increase in interstate travel.

Mr. Michael Adelokun, the Chairman of Saki Motor Park, stated that the quantity of buses departing the park and traveling to other locations was significantly less than anticipated.

According to him, it was evident that fewer passengers were traveling than in the past.

“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 observed that their business earnings were being negatively impacted by the rising cost of gasoline and auto maintenance.

According to Adelokun, engine oil costs have increased from around 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.

Additionally, Mr. Isahu Salawu, Secretary of the Park Management System at Iwo Road Motor Park, stated that many stayed in their homes because they had to control their expenses.

He claimed that their lack of financial stability had a detrimental effect on their business, making holiday seasons at the parks seem unremarkable.

Salawu criticized the high price of gasoline as well as other systemic costs, noting that fares remained the same in spite of all of this.

“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.

However, a traveler named Mr. Tafa Alaba claimed that the cost to get to Iseyin had gone up from N1,300 to N1,500 to N1,700.

He came to the conclusion that not as many people believed it was wise to travel as they formerly did, despite the modest rise, which he said was bearable.

Miss Tobiloba Samuel, a traveler going to Lagos for the Easter break, said that the N2,500 bus and N3,600 vehicle fares increased to N3,600 and N4,100, respectively.

The typical hustle and bustle that characterizes holiday seasons in vehicle parks was noticeably absent, according to NAN.

NAN