Contra-flow system for Ayalolo BRT buses begins operating in Greater Accra

Pinned summary · as of 21:00

A contra-flow system intended to speed up Ayalolo bus rapid transit services has started operating in Greater Accra. It is in force during the morning rush, from 6am to 9am, and again from 4pm to 8pm.

What we know

• A contra-flow system designed to help Ayalolo bus rapid transit buses move faster has begun operating in Greater Accra.
• It runs only at peak times, between 6am and 9am and between 4pm and 8pm.

What's disputed / unconfirmed

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  Greater Accra Passenger Transport Executive (GAPTE) managing director Awudu Dawuda told the Ghana News Agency, as relayed by Ghana Business News and MyJoyOnline, that buses covered the Adenta-to-Accra trip in about 23 minutes on the first morning, against a usual two and a half hours. He said about 8,000 passengers were carried from Adenta towards Accra in the morning session, and that evening journeys should take a similar time, put at 23 to 25 minutes by MyJoyOnline. These figures come from GAPTE alone and have not been confirmed by other reports.
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  Mr Dawuda also said the arrangement is meant to move people rather than buses, had eased crowding at some stops, got a positive response from minibus drivers on short routes and from private motorists on day one, and was the first use of such a measure for traffic management in Greater Accra. He urged the public to embrace it, saying “It has come to stay”, and said operational and safety problems would be dealt with as they arise. These are his own assessments.
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  Graphic Online, MyJoyOnline and Ghana Business News described the scheme as covering the Amasaman-Accra, Adenta-Accra and Kasoa-Accra corridors, with designated lanes reserved for authorised Ayalolo buses and closed to private cars, taxis, trotros and other vehicles. Graphic Online and MyJoyOnline added that selected road sections are temporarily reconfigured so buses can travel against normal traffic flow, and that police traffic officers and the roads department are working on it.
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  TechFocus24 reported that the local government ministry asked Greater Accra motorists to be especially careful in the 6am to 9am and 4pm to 8pm windows. MyJoyOnline said the ministry announced the arrangement.
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  Graphic Online reported that Local Government Minister Mahama Ayariga told GAPTE to keep to advertised departure times, with buses leaving on schedule whether full or not and drivers not waiting long for passengers. He said the scheme should encourage better time management, and told a breakfast meeting with development partners and agency heads that people would adjust their schedules over time. These are the minister's own remarks.
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  Graphic Online also reported that Mr Dawuda, whom it names as Dawuda Awudu, said at a press conference that contra-flow would tackle persistent congestion in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area, and that its success depends partly on efficient transport supporting economic activity beyond conventional working hours.

Why it matters for Ghana

Peak-hour traffic into central Accra affects workers, traders and students across the Greater Accra Region, and the lane changes alter how road space is shared during those hours. Motorists have been urged to take extra care between 6am and 9am and between 4pm and 8pm.