SLC33-W3: My Community, My Story – Transportation in My Area

Hi everyone, I am here to participate in this season 33 week 3 of steemit engagement challenge organized by @josepha. This contest enable us to discuss about our prefer transportation that will used on a daily basis.

What is the common means of transportation in your community? Tell us, including the location of the transportation

The common means of transportation in my community is the tricycle, minibus and okada which we use to move passengers from one place to another, for shopping, and recreational activities. Another name for this type of transportation is called Keke Napep, which is a three-wheeled vehicle used for commercial purposes.

This means of transportation can be found at the Yebumoat roundabout, where it serves as their bus stop. This commercial tricycle is very convenient for everyone because you can sit comfortably and enjoy the fresh air. So, this mode of transportation can be easily found in major cities, and people also use it to carry large loads such as full baskets of tomatoes, onions, and other items.

Which mode of transportation system do you use more often in your community and why?

It is normally used daily because it's very fast to reach the place where I am going. The tricycle is very affordable; even those who own cars park somewhere and board a commercial tricycle to go to various places. It's effective because it simplifies movement and helps pass through narrow traffic easily.

This mode of transportation offers door-to-door service where they can help you deliver the goods to your doorstep. Commercial tricycles allow passengers to negotiate with the driver, and most of them will agree on a price. It creates job opportunities for the drivers, who can use the money earned to take care of their families since the income provides for them.

How affordable, safe, and convenient is the transportation system in your community?

This local transportation is safe and convenient, and it is often considered budget-friendly, which cannot be compared with other states in Nigeria such as Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt, and Abuja. Many people depend on tricycles or okadas because they are sometimes cheaper, and it also depends on the destination you are heading to.

It is very safe for us, which is why we always remain calm, and it’s better to board the tricycle at the park for your own safety. Some transport unions also warn to exercise patience and avoid late-night travel due to security risks.

Tell us the challenges that you and other commuters face with the transportation system and the improvements you would like to see.

The challenge we normally face always occurs during the rainy season, where the heavy rain will beat all the passengers because there is nothing that would protect us from rain. By the time we reach our destination, all our clothes will be wet, and sometimes we may experience cold.

Some drivers do not obey traffic rules, especially some signs, which lead to restrictions in some major areas, and this normally occurs due to untrained operators. Another challenge is that most of these drivers are drunkards who sleep at the steering, which may eventually cause accidents.

During the rainy season, they must make use of tarpaulins to cover the sides of passengers so that it can protect them from rain. Trained operators must make use of traffic signs in the city so that they can use their experience to safely deliver passengers. Those who are drunk at the steering must be prosecuted by law to ensure their safety.

What advice would you give to a visitor who is about to use the local transportation system in your community for the first time?

Visitors are advice to use local transportation because it will give them more experience and they will also be able to see their immediate environment. Anytime they boarded local transportation within the city such as tricycle, minibus or okada they should always keep small note of naira ready because most of them find it difficult to have change.

For the first time experience, it's important for the passengers to ask their driver your exact destination or location before you enter a tricycle so that they will not drop in a wrong place.

It's better to keep your belongings on your right hand side so that our item can be secure as well as to avoid theft.

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