Aayalolo buses report faster journeys on Accra contraflow lanes as safety concerns ease

Pinned summary · as of 15:00

Two days into the pilot contraflow scheme for Aayalolo buses in Accra, passengers reported substantially shorter journeys on the three initial routes, though some had raised safety worries about the reversed traffic flow. The Greater Accra Passenger Transport Executive said drivers received special training and travel with motorcycle escorts to protect commuters and other road users.

What we know

• A pilot contraflow scheme for Aayalolo Bus Rapid Transit services began on Tuesday, 29 September 2026, with buses using dedicated lanes at peak times on the Adenta, Kasoa and Amasaman corridors into Accra.
• The Local Government Minister, Mahama Ayariga, said the expansion targets private motorists and is not meant to harm trotro drivers, since demand for transport between neighbourhoods and major destinations would sustain commercial operators.
• According to Mr Ayariga, many car owners drive alone because existing public transport lacks speed and reliability. He said a fast bus could reach Accra Central in 15 to 20 minutes, and fixed timetables would let commuters organise their schedules.

What's disputed / unconfirmed

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  MyJoyOnline cited GAPTE as saying that private cars, taxis, trotros, okadas and trucks are prohibited from the designated lanes during peak hours, and that violators will be prosecuted in court; this enforcement rule has not been confirmed by other reports.
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  MyJoyOnline listed four corridors (Amasaman, Pokuase, Kasoa and Adenta) with evening service running from 4pm to 7pm, while Citi Newsroom named three corridors and stated evening operations end at 8pm, creating a discrepancy in the scope and hours of the pilot.
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  MyJoyOnline reported details of lane markings (cones, reflective dividers, signs) and specific pickup points including Kwame Nkrumah Circle, Achimota and Kaneshie First Light; these particulars have not been independently verified.
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  Citi Newsroom quoted Mr Ayariga saying buses depart at fixed times such as 6 and 7 o'clock regardless of passenger numbers, with the same discipline applying to 8am and 9am runs; no other source has confirmed these specific departure rules.
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  Awudu Dawud, the transport executive's managing director, confirmed that Aayalolo drivers have undergone special training for contraflow operation and that buses travel with escorted motorcades to warn other road users and keep the lanes clear.
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  Commuters using the service reported dramatic time savings, with one passenger saying a journey that normally took three to four hours in traffic took only 15 minutes on the contraflow lanes.

Why it matters for Ghana

For the tens of thousands of commuters from Adenta, Kasoa and Amasaman travelling into Accra each day, a faster bus service could reduce wasted hours in traffic and free time for work or family. Trotro drivers on those routes will monitor how many passengers move to Aayalolo and whether their income is affected. The safety of the contraflow system matters to everyone on those roads: if accidents rise, public support for the pilot will falter. The pilot's success or failure will determine whether Accra expands the scheme to other corridors.