Daily cost considerations in the operations of commercial motorcycles in Nigeria: A locational analysis for Akure township

Most planning solutions aimed at ensuring the continuous operation of public transport modes in Nigeria do not succeed, because they are ad hoc and fail to take into consideration costs incurred daily by operators of transport fleet. This paper examines some factors that explain the costs of daily operations of commercial motorcyclists (locally called Okadas) in Akure, Nigeria. The Okada is a new mode regarded to have contributed to improved public transport in the city. Empirical estimates show that factors that significantly explain costs of daily operations of Okadas include: various levies imposed by union officials (garaging costs); districts of operation; ownership of business; ability of operators to repair or maintain their machines and the total number of hours spent in operations each day. Some policy implications of finding are discussed.