Examination of the Role of Transport Cooperatives in Improving Service Delivery in Ibadan, Oyo State

Transport cooperatives organise commercial road transport operators into collective structures that theoretically improve vehicle maintenance standards, fare regulation, and passenger safety. This study examined the role and effectiveness of transport cooperative societies in improving service delivery among commercial transport operators in Ibadan, Oyo State, South West Nigeria. A descriptive survey was conducted among 180 commercial transport operators (including drivers and vehicle owners) and 40 regular passengers from cooperatives operating in the Ibadan Urban Mass Transit, Bodija, and Dugbe routes. Questionnaires and structured interviews gathered data on cooperative benefits, service standards, safety practices, and fare management. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were applied. Findings showed that 67.8 percent of cooperative-affiliated operators had undergone at least one vehicle inspection organised by their cooperative within the preceding year, compared to 21.3 percent of non-affiliated operators. Fares on cooperative-managed routes were more stable and predictable than on non-cooperative routes, according to 73.8 percent of passengers surveyed. However, internal power struggles and difficulty enforcing cooperative rules on wayward members were identified as the most persistent governance challenges by cooperative executives. The study concludes that transport cooperatives in Ibadan improve service delivery standards but need stronger enforcement authority to be fully effective. Recommendations include legal authority empowerment for cooperative executives and formalised state government oversight of transport cooperative byelaw compliance.

Keywords: transport cooperatives, service delivery, Ibadan, Oyo State, cooperative governance