Accra needs a new transport plan, not Ayalolo contra-flow

Ranking Member on Parliament’s Roads and Transport Committee, Kennedy Nyarko Osei, has criticised the government’s new contra-flow arrangement for Ayalolo buses in Accra.

His comments follow the introduction of the arrangement by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs to give Ayalolo Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) services priority movement on major commuter routes during peak hours.

The initiative began on Tuesday, September 29, and is being implemented in collaboration with 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.

The initial arrangement covers the Amasaman–Accra, Adenta–Accra and Kasoa–Accra corridors, with Ayalolo buses using designated lanes in the opposite direction of normal traffic during peak periods.

The service operates from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with the designated lanes restricted to authorised Ayalolo buses.

Mr Nyarko Osei, however, said the measure would not provide a sustainable solution to Accra’s transportation challenges.

“Accra needs a new urban transportation plan and not Contra-Flow Initiative. The Contra-Flow Initiative is not sustainable and even has the potential to worsen the passenger transportation system in the capital city,” he wrote in a social media post on Wednesday, September 30.

He proposed the development of a 24-hour integrated traffic management system to better manage traffic across the capital.

The NPP legislator also called for the modernisation and expansion of the Bus Rapid Transit system, alongside the construction of more flyovers, underpasses, service roads and additional approaches to improve traffic flow.

He further proposed stronger control of roadside commercial activities, the development of park-and-ride facilities and full implementation of traffic enforcement measures.

On commercial passenger vehicles, Mr Nyarko Osei called for better management of their operations by designating locations where their trips should terminate.

The Akim Swedru MP also proposed the introduction of alternative transportation systems, including trams in the most congested areas of Accra.