Ayariga Targets 16,000 Daily Passenger Journeys for Aayalolo Buses by Christmas

The Aayalolo bus service in Accra, Ghana, currently handles around 8,000 daily passenger journeys on weekdays in the Greater Accra Metropolitan area. According to sector minister Mahama Ayariga, the service has seen an improvement following the introduction of a contraflow traffic system. The contraflow system, which redirects vehicles to travel in the opposite direction of normal flow, was piloted in September 2026 and has been successful.

The contraflow system was introduced to address traffic congestion in the city, which was hindering the effective operation of the mass transport system. Minister Ayariga spearheaded the introduction of the system, which has allowed for a more efficient service. With the success of the pilot, the minister has set a new target of 16,000 daily passenger journeys for the service to be achieved by Christmas 2026.

To achieve the new target, Minister Ayariga plans to deploy more buses into the contraflow traffic management of the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT). Additionally, he suggests that the number of trips made by buses on existing routes can be increased from three to between four and six, depending on passenger demand. This can be done without adding more buses to the fleet.

Minister Ayariga expressed confidence that the target can be achieved, especially as the festive season approaches. He believes that operators can make better use of the existing fleet to increase the number of passengers transported daily. In a radio interview on Joy FM, he stated that he is 100 per cent sure that operators can make as many as six trips instead of the current three trips.

The Aayalolo contraflow service operates on major commuter routes linking Kasoa, Amasaman, and Adentan to central Accra. The service allows buses transporting passengers into Accra to return to their loading points without waiting to pick up passengers for the return journey. This arrangement enables operators to increase the number of passengers transported daily without adding more buses to the fleet.

Minister Ayariga's target is incremental, aiming to double the current 8,000 daily passenger journeys to 16,000 as Christmas approaches. He emphasized that this can be achieved by making better use of the existing fleet and increasing the number of trips made by buses. The minister's confidence in achieving the target is based on the success of the contraflow system pilot.

The Aayalolo bus service is a significant part of Accra's transportation system, and the sector minister's target is expected to improve the service's efficiency and capacity. With the introduction of the contraflow system and the planned deployment of more buses, the service is expected to become more reliable and convenient for commuters.

Key points

• The Aayalolo bus service aims to double its daily passenger journeys from 8,000 to 16,000 by Christmas 2026.