Citation

Fasakin JO. Transp. Policy 2001; 8(1): 63-69.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/S0967-070X(00)00036-6

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

One factor responsible for the continuous prominence of commercial motorcycles (locally called Okadas) in Nigeria today, is the relentless drive by operators to make good profits everyday. Any planning prescription designed to improve this mode of public transport will fail if it does not recognise adequately factors affecting operators' daily profits. This paper estimates some factors that affect daily profits of commercial motorcycles in Akure, Nigeria. The Okadas are regarded to have contributed to improved public transportation in the city. Empirical estimates show that factors that significantly affect daily profits of the Okadas include: the number of passengers that operators carry at a time; the various daily traffic-related problems they go through; and the average time spent on a trip. Other important factors include ownership of machines, and peak hour operations. Some policy implications of the findings are discussed.