Enugu: Low Passenger-Turnout As Interstate Travels Begin

There was generally low passenger-turnout at various motor parks in Enugu, Wednesday, as the ban on interstate travels across the federation was lifted.

Our correspondent that went round motor parks in the city further observed that transport fares remained relatively the same.

At Peace Park, Enugu, there were no vehicles loading at about 10am. A worker in the park, who did not want her name mentioned, said, “We loaded very early. Many passengers actually boarded our vehicles. That is why presently, we don’t have passengers and buses again, unlike before. If you are travelling, come very early tomorrow. Our fare to both Abuja and Lagos remains N6, 5000.00 only.”

At other parks visited, buses were loading, though at a snail’s pace. A passenger, Musa Baba, said he had been waiting for the bus he boarded to fully load for about two hours. According to him, “I came out around 7:30am. It is now around two hours after, and we are still here. I am going to Kaduna. But hopefully, the bus will leave very soon.”

A bus loader at Ifesinachi Transport garage said, “Things are just taking shape. Today is the beginning, and gradually, travellers will start coming out from tomorrow. Again, we expect that many of them will come from the north and Lagos. So when they want to return, they will increase the passengers’ turnout.”

Meanwhile, some passengers have commended President Muhammadu Buhari for lifting the ban on interstate travels. Osita Ede, a driver plying Abuja route, told THE WHISTLER that, “It was hell not working for over two months. The ban was a good one to curtail the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, although some buses still violated the order. This time around, we have to observe all the preventive measures. The danger is that the spread is increasing, therefore, all hands must be on deck to curtail it.”

In all the parks visited, there were provisions for hand washing facilities.