Gov’t to roll out emergency bus support on major Accra routes to ease peak-hour woes

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The Ministry of Transport has begun deploying additional buses on four major Accra corridors during peak hours to ease the worsening transportation challenges commuters face in the evenings.

Transport Minister Joseph Nikpe Bukari announced the move, saying the emergency measure is expected to improve safety, reduce long waits, and curb exorbitant fares charged by some private operators.

Speaking to journalists in Parliament, the Minister said the deployment takes effect today, December 10, and forms part of an immediate response to growing concerns about unreliable evening transport in the capital.

He explained that the Ministry, working with Intercity STC Coaches Limited, will “mop up” long-distance buses that return early to Accra and redeploy them on key intra-city routes.

“We are going to employ some buses commencing from today, 10th December,” he said.

“We will ensure that those buses are available at the peak hours to support our commuters who close from work to get home safely.”

Under the new arrangement, each corridor will receive a minimum of eight buses operating between 4:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

The four routes are:

  • Accra–Madina–Adenta
  • Accra–Achimota–Amasaman
  • Accra–Mallam–Kasoa
  • Accra–Tema Beach Road

Bukari said the goal is to expand the number of buses in the coming weeks to ensure that “we’ll be able to pick all our commuters home safely.”

Commuters in Accra have for months struggled to secure transportation at peak hours, often facing steep fare hikes by some commercial drivers who take advantage of the shortage.

The Ministry says this deployment is an interim solution while broader, long-term reforms in the urban transport system are being considered.

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