Transporters and travelers in and out of Warri have lamented over the low patronage in spite of the Yuletide season. A visit to some motor parks in Warri and Effurun metropolis in Delta State revealed the low business activities, showing a decline in the turnout of passengers compared to last year’s.
People attributed this to the present harsh economic situation in the country as well as subsidy removal which now affects majority of travelers going for holidays during this festive season.
Julius Mamuzo, a Sienna driver running Effurun to Lagos said, “The hardship is too much on the common man as those that brought about this hardship do not use the road but traveled by air.”
Julius added that travelers from Warri pay N15,000, N20,000, N25,000 and above to Lagos. He said the hardship has made travelers not to come out or travel again because most of them cannot afford N15,000 transportation to Lagos, let alone N20,000 and N25,000.
Meanwhile, a traveler who did not want her name print said, the hardship is really bad that nobody is ready to travel for Christmas unlike it used to be.
She added that before now, driver would tell you that they had closed and that no driver on ground as at the time she got to the motor park due to higher patronage. But today, drivers are on ground but there are no passengers.
Friday, the Warri branch manager of Ameosa Motors, said “business is very low compared to last year’s, passengers are very few, because there is no money.
“Our prices have remained almost the same because there are even no passengers, no rush at all. Warri to Benin is still 3,000. Maybe business may pick up later towards New Year, but right now., it is not encouraging.”
