Estimating the Supply of Public Transport in Calabar
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DOI: 10.67571/njeru.2026.011928
Published: April 26, 2026 | Issue: Volume 3, Issue 1
Page No. 19–28
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Email: georgeukam@unicross.edu.ng
1 Department of Civil Engineering, University of Cross River State. Calabar-Nigeria.
2 Department of Civil Engineering, University of Cross River State. Calabar-Nigeria.
3 Department of Civil Engineering, University of Cross River State. Calabar-Nigeria.
4 Department of Civil Engineering, University of Cross River State. Calabar-Nigeria.
Received: October 10, 2025 Reviewed: February 2, 2026 Accepted: April 26, 2026
Abstract
The weak regulatory framework that informal public transport service operates within most African cities, coupled with systemic corruption and other factors, makes figures of the supply of public transport vehicles unreliable. This study sought to estimate the supply of public transport vehicles using official figures of vehicle licenses together with estimates of unregistered vehicles. It further evaluates the level of supply in off peak periods of the day. The study used secondary data from vehicle registration/licensing and semi structured interviews. Key stakeholders were interviewed and rough estimates of the amount of unregistered vehicle from their opinions were used to increase official numbers of vehicle operating in the city. Opinions of the stakeholders about vehicle supply across the day was also used to determine supply in off-peak period. From official records, there are over 4200 vehicles comprising taxis, tricycles and minibuses with the minibuses being the greatest in numbers. Incorporating illegal operators, the supply comes to around 6100 vehicles. The interviews conducted indicates no marked drop in supply in off-peak period. The study estimates that about 80% of supply is still available in these periods of low demand.
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