The government is targeting a doubling of weekday passenger journeys on Accra’s Aayalolo buses, from 8,000 to 16,000 by Christmas, as efforts intensify to improve public transport and ease congestion on major routes into the capital.
The Minister for Local Government, Mahama Ayariga, said the target would be achieved by increasing the number of trips made by buses operating under the special contraflow traffic arrangement.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Tuesday, November 10, he said the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service had recorded improvements since the introduction of the pilot contraflow system in September along the Kasoa, Amasaman and Adentan corridors into central Accra.
The arrangement allows Aayalolo buses to travel against the normal flow of traffic during morning and evening peak hours, helping commuters avoid some of the congestion on these routes.
According to Mr Ayariga, more than 48 buses that had been grounded were repaired and returned to service by the Greater Accra Passenger Transport Executive (GAPTE), providing additional capacity for the operation.
He explained that the existing fleet could support the 16,000 daily passenger journey target if each bus increased its peak-hour trips from the current three to between four and six.
“I am 100 per cent sure that they can do as many as six trips, instead of the three trips,” he said.
He added that buses dropping passengers in central Accra could immediately return to their outer terminals rather than wait for commuters travelling in the opposite direction, allowing them to complete more trips within the peak periods.
“If you are doing 8,000 a day now, if we double it, I mean incrementally as we approach Christmas, we probably should be doing 16,000 daily,” he stated.
The minister also disclosed that President John Dramani Mahama had directed the Minister for Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza, to ensure that dedicated contraflow lanes are properly marked on roads undergoing reconstruction.
He said the markings would help motorists identify the sections reserved for Aayalolo buses during designated peak hours and prevent private vehicles from using the lanes.
The directive is expected to improve order and safety around the contraflow system as authorities work to increase the number of commuters using the Aayalolo service.
Ayariga’s comments come amid efforts by the government to strengthen public transport operations in Accra and make the service more efficient for daily commuters.
