Ayalolo bus service implements contra-flow lanes to reduce Accra traffic

The Ministry of Local Government has launched a new contra-flow lane system to revitalize the Ayalolo bus service and combat traffic congestion in Greater Accra. The initiative targets the Amasaman-Accra, Adenta-Accra, and Kasoa-Accra corridors during morning peak hours from 06:00 to 09:00.

On the first day of implementation, the Greater Accra Passenger Transport Executive (GAPTE) reported that travel time between Adenta and Accra was reduced from approximately two and a half hours to just 23 minutes. Approximately 8,000 passengers utilized the service during the morning session. GAPTE Managing Director Awudu Dawuda stated that the focus remains on moving people efficiently rather than just moving buses.

While the new system shows immediate operational benefits, transport experts have raised questions regarding long-term sustainability. They point to the 2017 World Bank evaluation of the Ghana Urban Transport Project, which rated previous Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) efforts as “Unsatisfactory” due to cost overruns and institutional challenges. Experts suggest that successful revival requires adhering to specific infrastructure and institutional reform prerequisites established by the World Bank.