The Motor Traffic and Transport Directorate (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service has welcomed a proposal by the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, to introduce temporary dedicated lanes for Aayalolo buses during peak traffic hours.
MTTD officials noted that the success of the initiative now rests on the ability of the country’s engineers to present practical implementations to support the minister’s vision.
Speaking on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, the Director of Education, Research, and Training at the Police MTTD, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Alexander Kwaku Obeng, stated that the proposed arrangement is straightforward and expressed confidence that all relevant agencies will collaborate to make the initiative work for the benefit of road users.
He acknowledged that the plan will increase police duties, but emphasized that officers are prepared to meet the challenge.
“This is a great initiative proposed by the Minister. It is something we have to all support. We have to dialogue and find ways to make it workable. We believe it is left to the country’s engineers to put forward practical ideas to support the minister’s initiative if it is implemented. This will improve transport, reduce congestion on our roads, and improve services rendered. The traffic during the peak hours is stressful and so we welcome this. This will also increase the workload on the Police, but we remain prepared. It is part of our job and we will deliver,” ACP Obeng said.
Addressing concerns regarding the logistics and equipment required to facilitate police operations, ACP Obeng explained that the proposal remains under consideration and that authorities will assess and provide the necessary support prior to rollout.
“We recognise the importance of the proposal and we are hopeful that we will be provided with the needed logistics and tools to enhance the work we do. We were trained to serve the country. We have to put our roads to optimal use. Education will also be prioritised before implementation kicks in,” he added.
Under the proposal put forward by Mahama Ayariga, a contraflow lane system would operate during peak morning hours to enhance travel times and reliability for Aayalolo buses.
The plan involves temporarily reserving one lane on the less-congested side of selected major thoroughfares exclusively for Aayalolo buses between 6:00 am and 9:00 am, with MTTD motorbike officers escorting the buses to manage oncoming traffic and maintain safety.
During a visit to the Greater Accra Passenger Transport Executive, the minister acknowledged that permanently designated bus lanes have previously proven ineffective.
He projected that this flexible peak-hour alternative would curtail transit delays, boost bus readership, secure financial viability for the state-supported service, and incentivize commuters to switch from private vehicles to public transport.
The proposal is set to undergo detailed safety and feasibility evaluations involving the Inspector-General of Police, the Ministry of the Interior, and relevant security agencies prior to any official implementation.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
