Analysis of the Effects of Urban Sprawl on Public Transport Provision in Abuja Satellite Towns

Urban sprawl presents a complex challenge for public transport planners, as expanding city boundaries often outpace the extension of formal transit services, leaving peripheral communities under-served. This study analyses the effects of urban sprawl on public transport provision in satellite towns surrounding Abuja, including Lugbe, Kuje, Gwagwalada, and Kurudu. A descriptive survey design was employed, gathering data from 200 residents of satellite settlements through structured questionnaires and key informant interviews with transport officials. The study measures transit availability, travel times to the city centre, transport cost burdens as a share of household income, and residents' modal choices in the absence of formal public transport. Findings reveal that formal public transit does not penetrate most satellite towns, forcing residents to rely on commercial motorcycles and unregulated minibuses at high cost. Average daily commute times to central Abuja from surveyed satellite towns exceed 90 minutes each way, with transport costs consuming 22 percent of household income on average for low-income residents. The absence of planning coordination between urban expansion agencies and transport authorities is identified as a structural governance gap. Recommendations include the extension of the Abuja BRT network to high-density satellite corridors, the integration of commuter transport planning into the Federal Capital Territory Urban and Regional Planning Authority's land use decisions, and the piloting of demand-responsive transport services in low-density peripheral areas. Keywords: urban sprawl, public transport, Abuja, satellite towns, transport planning.