The Greater Accra Passenger Transport Executive (GAPTE) has assured commuters that Aayalolo buses operating on newly introduced contra-flow lanes are not speeding to beat traffic. Managing Director Awudu Dawud stated that drivers have received special training to ensure passenger safety. This assurance comes as the system enters its second day of implementation, with commuters reporting shorter journey times but raising concerns about the safety of buses traveling against the normal direction of traffic.
According to Mr. Dawud, safety was a major consideration in the planning and implementation of the system. Relevant transport, security, and road safety agencies were involved in efforts to protect passengers and other road users. The GAPTE worked with the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of the Interior, the National Road Safety Authority, and the Department of Urban Roads to ensure the safe operation of the buses.
Mr. Dawud explained that the buses are not expected to take advantage of the relatively free lanes to travel at excessive speeds. He emphasized that safety is critical when it comes to contra-flow and that the GAPTE has worked with stakeholders to ensure that everybody is safe. The buses are being escorted by motorcades while using the contra-flow lanes to alert other road users to their approach and discourage motorists from entering the designated lanes.
The escorts serve as a temporary measure to keep the lanes clear and reduce the risk of collisions. Mr. Dawud acknowledged that the arrangement could give the impression that the buses are traveling at high speeds because they face less congestion than other vehicles. However, he rejected suggestions that the operators are using the system to race through traffic, stating that the buses are not going on any top speed.
Despite concerns about safety, passengers who used the Aayalolo service expressed satisfaction with the time saved during their journeys. Some said trips that would normally take several hours because of heavy traffic had been completed in a fraction of the usual time. One passenger said the service had made a considerable difference to the morning commute and expressed hope that the arrangement would continue.
Passengers praised the service, saying the journey had been a positive experience, given the amount of time normally spent in traffic. One commuter said the difference in travel time was particularly noticeable on a route that could take between three and four hours under heavy traffic conditions. The reduced journey time could allow passengers to complete their daily activities more efficiently.
The Managing Director said drivers had been trained specifically to operate under the contra-flow arrangement, with the aim of preventing accidents and ensuring that passengers reached their destinations safely. The GAPTE's efforts aim to provide a safe and efficient transportation system for commuters in Ghana.
Key points
- The GAPTE has assured commuters that Aayalolo buses operating on contra-flow lanes are not speeding.
- The buses are being escorted by motorcades to alert other road users to their approach.
- Passengers have expressed satisfaction with the time saved during their journeys using the Aayalolo service.
