Government rolls out Aayalolo contra-flow system on three major Accra corridors
By Abraham Donkor The Government, has announced a contra-flow traffic arrangement for Aayalolo Bus Rapid Transit services as part of measures to improve public transportation and reduce traffic congestion in Accra. The arrangement, which takes effect Tuesday, September 29, 2026, will initially cover the Amasaman–Accra, Adenta–Accra and Kasoa–Accra corridors during peak commuting periods. The…
The Government of Ghana has introduced a new contra-flow traffic system for Aayalolo Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) services as part of efforts to enhance public transportation and reduce congestion in Accra. This measure, set to begin on September 29, 2026, will initially be implemented on three major corridors: Amasaman–Accra, Adenta–Accra, and Kasoa–Accra, during peak commuting times. The initiative is spearheaded by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, with GAPTE at the helm.
The contra-flow system will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. in the morning and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the evening, when traffic volumes are highest on the selected routes. Under this arrangement, selected road sections will be temporarily configured to allow authorized Aayalolo buses to travel in oncoming lanes, designated solely for these buses. Private cars, taxis, taxis, trotros, commercial vehicles, and unauthorized vehicles will not be permitted on these designated lanes.
The Ghana Police Service's Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) will deploy personnel to manage traffic and enforce compliance at strategic locations and major intersections. GAPTE's Managing Director, Daouda Awudu, explained that the system aims to address the Aayalolo service's inability to maintain predictable journey times due to constant traffic congestion.
The contra-flow concept involves temporarily allocating road space to buses in congested areas, allowing them to bypass traffic without being trapped in normal traffic flow.
A trial along the Kinbu–Adenta route had already demonstrated the system's potential to significantly reduce journey times, cutting travel time from nearly two hours to approximately 45 minutes. With the implementation, 126 repaired Aayalolo buses will be deployed, enabling more trips without prolonged periods in traffic. This initiative follows calls from the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, for reforms to make Aayalolo a dependable mass transit option for commuters, emphasizing the need for reliable schedules and predictable travel times.
Government anticipates that the initiative will improve Aayalolo's punctuality and reliability, reduce journey times, ease congestion along major approaches to the Central Business District, and encourage more people to use mass public transport. The MTTD will work closely with GAPTE and the Department of Urban Roads to ensure the safe implementation of the system, with police personnel stationed at key points to direct traffic and prevent unauthorized vehicles from using the designated lanes.
Motorists, commercial transport operators, pedestrians, businesses, and residents are urged to cooperate with traffic officers and follow traffic signs and instructions carefully. This initiative is part of the broader effort to strengthen public transportation and enhance urban mobility in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area, with long-term solutions requiring improved public transport, better traffic management, expanded road infrastructure, and measures to reduce road congestion.
Written by urgent.news from GBC Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
