Crucial steps have been taken by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs to ease transport bottlenecks across the Greater Accra Region as the Christmas rush approaches.
Sector Minister Mahama Ayariga officially presented four new Honda dispatch motorcycles to the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) to reinforce the contraflow operations of the Ayalolo Rapid Bus Transit system.
The intervention targets long-standing logistical hurdles that have slowed down operations, particularly during peak hours when passenger demand shoots up.
Highlighting the necessity of the gesture, Mr Ayariga noted that whilst the bus service has performed remarkably well, inadequate escort personnel has created unnecessary operational hiccups.
“The method of rapid bus transit in the country in the Greater Accra area has been very successful so far. We still face a few logistical challenges and that has to do with the number of dispatch riders available to lead the buses because the numbers are increasing,” the Minister said.
To avert severe delays during the upcoming festive period, instructions have already been issued to expand trip schedules across key corridors.
“I have directed the MD of Ayalolo, that’s the rapid bus transit company, to increase the number of trips to accommodate the increasing number that we witness every Christmas and to do that effectively they will need more dispatch bikes to assist with clearing the way.”
Pointedly referencing a recent disruption on the Amasaman axis on Tuesday morning, the Minister attributed the delay directly to the shortfall in dispatch escorts needed to clear traffic for the bus convoys.
Beyond the motorbikes, the Minister revealed that broader fleet augmentations are currently underway to fortify urban mobility.
“The President has directed that we add pickups, marked pickups, so we are in the process of procuring the marked pickups to support the exercise but in the meantime we have acquired some Honda dispatch bikes to support the Ayalolo company to be able to manage the flow more efficiently and effectively,” he stated.
Government remains confident that the injection of the motorbikes, alongside the impending arrival of the utility pickups, will permanently resolve operational glitches and guarantee smoother commutes throughout the holiday season.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana