The operationalisation of the contra-flow arrangement for the Aayalolo Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) services has taken off smoothly with minimal challenges, Justice K. Safo, Public Relations Officer for Aayalolo Bus Operations, has disclosed.
The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs introduced the arrangement across three major corridors leading into Accra’s Central Business District (CBD) to ease gridlock.
The intervention, which took effect today, Tuesday, September 29, 2026, runs during peak commuting hours—from 6:00 am to 9:00 am and 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
It covers the Amasaman–Accra, Adenta–Accra, and Kasoa–Accra routes, which are heavily burdened by high traffic volumes during morning and evening rush hours.
Speaking on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Mr Safo described the rollout as generally successful, noting a dramatic reduction in travel times for commuters.
He explained that journeys which previously took hours in heavy traffic were completed in just 15 to 30 minutes, cutting travel time by over two hours.
Under the temporary system, designated road sections are reconfigured during peak periods to allow authorised Aayalolo buses to travel against the normal flow of traffic in priority directions.
Mr Safo warned that these designated lanes remain strictly reserved for the BRT service and cautioned motorists against unauthorized access.
“Private vehicles, taxis, trotros, commercial vehicles, and other unauthorised road users are not permitted to use the lanes,” he cautioned.
He added: “The challenges we encountered were not significant. These are challenges we can handle and deal with because of the measures we have put in place. So far, so very good. We are hopeful that from tomorrow, these challenges will not be repeated.”
The initiative is designed to boost public transport reliability, curb persistent urban congestion, and improve overall mobility across the capital.
The scheme is being executed jointly by the Ministry, the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service, the Greater Accra Passenger Transport Executive (GAPTE), and the Department of Urban Roads (DUR).
MTTD officers have been deployed at key intersections and strategic locations along the corridors to manage traffic and enforce compliance.
Mr Safo appealed to the public to support the initiative to ensure its long-term success. He also urged commuters to embrace mass public transportation to reduce the burden of private vehicles on Accra’s road network.
”We are hopeful that from tomorrow these challenges will not be repeated and will be solved. But on the whole, we can confidently state that these are not challenges we cannot deal with.”
He said these are end-to-end services, which limit stoppages at bus stops, and persons who would want to alight along the way would have to join the normal services provided.
For those who would want to pick buses along the way, he said provisions will be made for them, but the contra-flow services are time-bound, moving from key locations and ending only at the final destinations.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana