ANALYSIS OF THE LOCATION PATTERN AND PATRONAGE OF BUS STOPS IN ILESA, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined the location as well as the pattern of patronage of bus stops in Ilesa. The aim of the study were to identify the location of bus stops, examine the impact of these location on traffic flow, examine the level of patronage and the appropriateness of these locations to planning standard. Data were located using random sampling and hierarchical sampling for the commuters and operators respectively. The GIS technique was also used to site the location of bus stops in the study area. The data were analyzed using SPSS package and ArcGIS 9.3. The results of the findings show that the bus stops were sparse in some areas while other areas were closely located in terms of spatial location. It also revealed that occupation type and distance of residence to work place of the respondents influenced the patronage of the bus stops. The hypothesis testing revealed that location pattern of bus stops influences the patronage pattern of bus stops, distance of location of bus stops as well as traffic flow. It was recommended that the accessibility to bus stops should be considered by standard spacing and walking distance. It also recommended that the master plan (if existing) must incorporate the location pattern of bus stops if the living standard of the people is to be substantially improved upon.