Easter: Commercial Vehicle Operators Record Low Patronage

Commercial vehicle operators in Port Harcourt have decried the low patronage of passengers experienced during the Easter celebrations.

Some of the operators, who claimed that they expected an influx of passengers as were the cases during other festive periods, said they were disappointed.

The chairman of Bayelsa Park Port Harcourt,  Mr Bedford Friday said there was poor turn-out of passengers to Bayelsa State, the Easter season, saying that it may be due to economic hardship. He however, hoped that the future would be better.

Mr Friday said there was no increase in fare as well, because there was no need since there was low patronage.

Also speaking, Augustine Anoro, who operates the Port Harcourt-Ikot Epene-Uyo routes said the patronage was not encouraging compared to previous seasons noting that it was like any other period.

He also noted that there was no increase in the transport fare as they still charged N1,200 only.

For the operations manager, Niger Delta Links  John David, that plies from Port Harcourt to Bori in Khana Local Government Area, this year’s  Easter celebration is not like that of last year, because they experienced influx of passengers which made, them to bring in Skybank buses to help transport commuters to that part of the state.

Mr David who said economic reasons may account for poor patronage, expressed optimism that there might be improvement next year.

Meanwhile, The Tide correspondent gathered that almost all the motor parks in Port Harcourt witnessed low patronage of travellers during the Easter holiday.

Collins Barasimeye