There is no gainsaying the fact that it is a real traumatic and frustrating experience commuting in Accra, considering he appalling public transport system that exists in the city. One has to struggle before getting transport to a destination.
This situation emphasises the importance of public transport in an urban centre. It is even more vital in a municipality or metropolis which encompasses sprawling residential areas, a teeming population as well as bustling commercial, industrial and social activities.
The public transport system must be adequate, efficient and effective to facilitate the mass movement of people, especially workers, and enhance business operations.
Indeed, it is one facility that attests to the status and credibility of a city. Besides, it goes a long way to promote tourism as tourists find it more convenient to go on sight-seeing in the city.
Mindful of the crucial role of public transport system in urban life, governments and urban authorities endeavour to put one in place, ensuring that there is enough fleet to go round and it is well managed, functional and reliable. Its benefit as a revenue earner cannot be over emphasized.
It is against this scenario that this write-up focuses on the metro transport service in Accra; how it was in the early days; how it has progressed over the years; its present condition and what should be done to improve the situation.
Briefly, Accra has had a steady development of mass transportation since it became the capital of the Gold Coast in 1877 when it was administered by the Accra Town Council established in 1859.
The Council ran a bus transport service from the terminus located along Pagan Road, opposite Glamour Store, through the residential areas. This terminus still exists as a reminiscent of the Accra Town Council.
Notably, in those days motor traffic was low. So the buses plied the routes with ease, being regular at the bus stops such that there was no need waiting for so long before a bus arrived. In all, the service was convenient as metro mass transport is expected to be.
However, with the passing of years and increasing population of the city, the situation changed adversely. The buses were not enough to cope with the influx of commuters while they were held up i traffic jams.
It became worse during the economic crisis that hit Ghana in the 1980s. Spare parts were not readily available to repair the buses which frequently broke down. Most of them were parked at the garage.
Ater, some relief came with the introduction of the double-decker which could convey large numbers of passengers in and around the city. But soon these luxurious omnibuses found their way to the garage for repairs and never returned to the roads for the usual lack of spare parts.
Obviously, the Intra-city bus service was in a state of collapse, leaving only the private vehicles – trotro and taxi cabs in operation and could not cope with the increasing number of commuters.
This was the time when the idea of reviving the service was mooted by former President J.A. Kufuor’s administration and it followed up with procurement of a fleet of buses facilitated by a foreign loan package, hence the buses are popularly known as “Kufuor Buses.”
To ensure careful, efficient and profitable management, a company was established to operate the buses.
This is the Metro Mass Transit enterprise which raised the hopes of the pubic that a functional metro mass transport service comparable to the best in operation in other countries was being introduced into Ghana.
This situation emphasises the importance of public transport in an urban centre. It is even more vital in a municipality or metropolis which encompasses sprawling residential areas, a teeming population as well as bustling commercial, industrial and social activities.
The public transport system must be adequate, efficient and effective to facilitate the mass movement of people, especially workers, and enhance business operations.
Indeed, it is one facility that attests to the status and credibility of a city. Besides, it goes a long way to promote tourism as tourists find it more convenient to go on sight-seeing in the city.
Mindful of the crucial role of public transport system in urban life, governments and urban authorities endeavour to put one in place, ensuring that there is enough fleet to go round and it is well managed, functional and reliable. Its benefit as a revenue earner cannot be over emphasized.
It is against this scenario that this write-up focuses on the metro transport service in Accra; how it was in the early days; how it has progressed over the years; its present condition and what should be done to improve the situation.
Briefly, Accra has had a steady development of mass transportation since it became the capital of the Gold Coast in 1877 when it was administered by the Accra Town Council established in 1859.
The Council ran a bus transport service from the terminus located along Pagan Road, opposite Glamour Store, through the residential areas. This terminus still exists as a reminiscent of the Accra Town Council.
Notably, in those days motor traffic was low. So the buses plied the routes with ease, being regular at the bus stops such that there was no need waiting for so long before a bus arrived. In all, the service was convenient as metro mass transport is expected to be.
However, with the passing of years and increasing population of the city, the situation changed adversely. The buses were not enough to cope with the influx of commuters while they were held up i traffic jams.
It became worse during the economic crisis that hit Ghana in the 1980s. Spare parts were not readily available to repair the buses which frequently broke down. Most of them were parked at the garage.
Ater, some relief came with the introduction of the double-decker which could convey large numbers of passengers in and around the city. But soon these luxurious omnibuses found their way to the garage for repairs and never returned to the roads for the usual lack of spare parts.
Obviously, the Intra-city bus service was in a state of collapse, leaving only the private vehicles – trotro and taxi cabs in operation and could not cope with the increasing number of commuters.
This was the time when the idea of reviving the service was mooted by former President J.A. Kufuor’s administration and it followed up with procurement of a fleet of buses facilitated by a foreign loan package, hence the buses are popularly known as “Kufuor Buses.”
To ensure careful, efficient and profitable management, a company was established to operate the buses.
This is the Metro Mass Transit enterprise which raised the hopes of the pubic that a functional metro mass transport service comparable to the best in operation in other countries was being introduced into Ghana.
