The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has advocated establishing a centralised mega park to enhance road transportation services in Bauchi.

Armayau Bala, chairman of the Jos Road Taxi branch in the Bauchi metropolis, said this on Wednesday.

He said the call was imperative to boost patronage, improve security and foster unity among transport operators.

Mr Bala said the existing park was overcrowded and too small to operate efficiently.

He said taxis and buses operating from the park were recording low patronage because the proliferation of parks, touts and other miscreants operating illegal parks in the metropolis had reduced their patronage.

The chairman said the trend had led passengers to patronise motor parks on the outskirts of the city.

“Establishing a mega park will enhance security because people and goods entering and leaving the state will pass through one central location with strict security measures. Passengers and goods will be screened at the park before departure, business will flourish, and unity within the association will also improve,” he said.

Mr Bala said that transport operators were currently unable to make many trips due to low patronage, which adversely affected their livelihoods.

On passenger welfare, Mr Bala said that the union maintains a passenger manifest containing travellers’ essential information, including their names, destinations, and next-of-kin details, to facilitate prompt contact in the event of an accident or other emergency.

He lamented that members of the association were not receiving insurance benefits in the event of an auto crash, despite payments to insurance companies.

Mr Bala commended the Bauchi government for providing good roads and called for a centralised mega park.

(NAN)