The Role of Public Transport Modes in Reducing Congestion and Enhancing Sustainable Infrastructure in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

Rapid urbanization in Sub-Saharan Africa has intensified the challenges of achieving sustainable mobility, particularly in cities where informal public transport dominates. This 1 study examined the relationship between the use of minibuses, tricycles (keke), and bicycles (okada) and their effects on urban congestion levels and travel efficiency in Ibadan, Nigeria. Anchored on the Urban Mobility Theory, the study adopted a descriptive survey design using a structured questionnaire administered to 429 respondents drawn from major transport corridors across the city. Findings revealed a significant relationship between transport mode and urban congestion (R = 0.589, R² = 0.347, F(2,380) = 88.037, p < 0.001), indicating that minibuses and tricycles are primary contributors to congestion, while bicycles emerged as a congestion-mitigating alternative. Similarly, the analysis showed that public transport mode significantly affects travel efficiency (R = 0.652, R² = 0.425, F(2,380) = 87.945, p < 0.001), with minibuses (B = -0.421, p < 0.001) and tricycles (B = -0.193, p < 0.001) negatively influencing efficiency relative to bicycles. The results emphasize on the dual nature of informal transport systems in Ibadan. enhancing mobility access but simultaneously worsening congestion and travel delays. The study concludes that achieving sustainable urban mobility requires integrating non-motorized transport, particularly bicycles, into urban transport planning and regulating informal modes for improved efficiency. It recommends multimodal transport planning, investment in bicycle-friendly infrastructure, stricter regulation of informal operators, and institutional coordination through a metropolitan transport authority