Govt Moves To Revive Aayalolo Bus System

The Ghanaian government is taking action to revive and restructure the Aayalolo rapid bus transport system in response to growing traffic congestion in major cities. This move aims to address the challenges faced by urban centers like Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi and Tamale. The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, led by Minister Mahama Ayariga, emphasized the need for an efficient public transport system that could provide rapid and attractive commuting options for city dwellers.

Ayariga pointed out that poor urban planning and population growth had resulted in the concentration of services in limited areas, leading to traffic congestion during peak hours. To tackle this issue, the government plans to establish a framework with ministries of transport, roads and interior, as well as traffic authorities, to create a rapid and reliable bus service.

This may include allocating dedicated lanes for Aayalolo buses during peak periods and deploying MTTD personnel to support the buses and ensure clear routes. The Managing Director of the Greater Accra Passenger Transport Executive (GAPTE), Awudu Dauda, shared that the organization had restored 48 Aayalolo buses, bringing the total to 128.

However, an audit revealed that 60 of the original 245 buses were misappropriated in 2018. GAPTE currently operates without government subsidy, relying on advertising and institutional hiring. The government pledged to continue discussions with relevant stakeholders to develop a sustainable transport system and urged local assemblies to invest in public transport, considering it an essential municipal service.

Minister Ayariga expressed confidence in the potential of Ghanaian cities to significantly reduce congestion through efficient urban transport.