The current face of Ghana’s public transport sector is characterized by gridlocks, perilous navigation by drivers, high occupancy, insanitary conditions and high cost of fares.
What account for these? The political will and regulatory potency to enforce road safety standards and procedures are virtually non-existent.
From trotros, taxis, trains and motorbikes, each day, men and women including children wake up at the crack of dawn to fight bumper-to-bumper traffic and cramped public transport to show up at places in time or late.
Another worrying situation is the number of commercial vehicles on our roads. Statistics show that there are about 237,537 commercial vehicles (up to 2000cc) in Ghana.
This greater number of commercial vehicles ply the insufficient road network resulting in slower vehicle speeds, queuing and longer distances between points. A lot of fuel is wasted raising pollution level in the cities, with stressful conditions and health issues which lead to loss in productivity.
Does your means of transport to work or places matter? What is the state of the state’s position on Bus Rapid Transport (BRT)? It is possible these questions have crossed the minds of many well-meaning Ghanaians.
Well, the argument for orderly developments and enforcement of road safety standards and procedures is strong and urgent.
The issue of an effective and efficient public transport system should by no means be belittled, as good transport system keeps the nation moving and bad one has cost and even health implications for its users.
My name is Kofi Anokye, a sustainable development enthusiast. I’m making my perfect grain of sand. Make yours too, and we’ll build a sustainable city, brick by brick.
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