The Ghanaian government has announced plans to introduce a contra-flow arrangement for buses on selected sections of roads in Accra, the capital city. The plan, which is set to begin on the Kasoa, Adenta, and Amasaman corridors, allows authorised buses to travel against the normal direction of traffic during morning and evening peak hours. This move aims to reduce congestion and prioritize the movement of people over vehicles. The Motor Traffic and Transport Department will enforce the arrangement.
The contra-flow arrangement is designed to make better use of scarce road space by giving priority to buses, which can carry many passengers through a queue, making more efficient use of space than private cars. This approach is also seen as a matter of fairness, as people who depend on public transport should not have to spend more time commuting due to congestion caused by private vehicles. The policy has been welcomed as a simple but consequential choice to prioritize the movement of people.
However, concerns have been raised about the safety implications of the contra-flow arrangement, particularly at intersections, access points, and pedestrian crossings. The scheme requires road users to revise their ingrained habits, and if the roads are poorly designed, the scheme may transfer risk to vulnerable road users. To mitigate these risks, the public needs to be informed about the operating plan in practical terms, including details on lane markings, bus entry and exit points, and pedestrian crossing management.
The authorities have been urged to establish a baseline before the trial and publish data on bus journey times, punctuality, passenger numbers, delays on neighbouring roads, and safety incidents during the trial. This will help to determine whether the corridor is moving more people reliably and safely and whether the benefits extend beyond the bus lane itself. A review date should also be set, and evidence-based criteria established to justify continuing, changing, or withdrawing the arrangement.
The contra-flow arrangement is seen as a public experiment, and its success will depend on careful planning, implementation, and evaluation. The authorities need to be transparent about the trial's outcomes and willing to make changes if necessary. This approach will help to build confidence in the government's ability to address congestion in Accra and demonstrate a commitment to evidence-based policy-making.
Accra's congestion is a complex issue that requires practical solutions, and a bus-priority experiment may be one of them. The city's residents need reliable and safe transportation options, and the contra-flow arrangement has the potential to provide these. However, its success will depend on careful planning, implementation, and evaluation to ensure that it gives commuters time back without taking safety away.
The trial's outcome will be closely watched, and its success will be measured by its impact on commuters and the city's transportation system. If successful, the contra-flow arrangement could be expanded to other parts of the city, providing a more efficient and safe transportation system for residents. The government's willingness to experiment and adapt to new ideas will be crucial in addressing Accra's congestion challenges.
Key points
- The contra-flow arrangement aims to prioritize the movement of people over vehicles and reduce congestion on selected roads in Accra.
- The authorities need to establish a baseline and publish data on the trial's outcomes to ensure transparency and evidence-based policy-making.
- The success of the trial will depend on careful planning, implementation, and evaluation to ensure that it gives commuters time back without taking safety away.
