The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, has proposed allowing Aayalolo buses to use lanes on the opposite side of congested roads during peak morning hours to tackle severe travel delays and boost public transport reliability across the capital.
Under the new plan, one lane on the less congested side of selected dual carriageways would be temporarily reserved for Aayalolo buses between 6:00 am and 9:00 am, depending on the direction of heavy traffic flow.
Speaking during a visit to the Greater Accra Passenger Transport Executive (GAPTE) to discuss operational reforms, Mr Ayariga admitted that previous attempts to create permanent dedicated bus lanes had failed to deliver results.
“The original plan which I have seen us implement in the initial NDC government was to designate a space on the main road for Aayalolo buses, a dedicated route. That doesn’t seem, in my opinion, to have worked very well,” he noted.
To bypass heavy traffic bottlenecks, the Minister outlined a dynamic routing strategy backed by security personnel.
“So, we want to sit with the IGP, Interior Minister and his team and see if it is possible that at peak hours, from 6 am to 9 am, one of the lanes on the opposite side can be dedicated to Aayalolo so that they will move fast,” he explained.
To address safety concerns regarding oncoming traffic, Mr Ayariga suggested utilizing motorbike officers from the Ghana Police Service’s Motor Traffic and Transport Directorate (MTTD) to escort the fleet.
“If we can have each bike lead one bus between the hours of 6 am and 9 am to really ensure that it is safe and provide warning to oncoming vehicles on the major routes,” he added.
Government officials believe the intervention will drastically cut down travel times for commuters, enhance patronage, and incentivize private vehicle owners to opt for public transportation. In turn, increased passenger numbers are expected to improve the financial viability of the state-supported bus scheme while easing broader gridlock across Accra.
The proposal will undergo feasibility and safety assessments in upcoming consultations involving the Inspector-General of Police, the Ministry of the Interior, and transport stakeholders before implementation decisions are finalized.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
