Users’ Satisfaction of Tricycle as Urban Commercial Transportation in Minna, Nigeria

Abstract

This study analysed the satisfaction that the tricycle users derive from the use of tricycle as a means of urban commercial transportation in Minna, central Nigeria. The core objectives of analysing users’ and operators’ satisfaction and providing recommendations for enhanced satisfaction revealed that tricycle as a means of urban commercial transportation is yet to meet the main requirements of the users as problems such as avoidable delays, longer time travel, discomfort, lack of access and on-transit discomfort with excessive noise are still being faced. Although, it was shown that operators derive high occupational satisfaction with the mode of transportation, it has little to do with ease of accessing the vehicles, comfort of usage, and the needed cooperation from other road users, passengers, law enforcement agents and even the revenue mobilization. This study utilized cluster sampling on the major traffic routes and bus terminus in the study area to generate primary data. Physical and socioeconomic surveys of major transit routes in Minna metropolis, intensive physio-economic analyses and interview of passengers, tricycle operators, and other road users, this study recommended the provisions of a more reliable, affordable, safe, comfortable, secured and satisfactory mode of commercial transportation in Minna. However, tricycles are recommendable as urban commercial transportation on certain routes, particularly with road rehabilitation, provision of additional road furniture, public enlightenment, gradual enforcement of peculiar traffic rules and regulations, in addition to training and re-training of tricycle operators to reduce the observed anomalies and increasing rates of accidents and on-transit discomforts