Commuters in Accra continue to face difficulties getting to work despite ongoing government efforts to address the city’s transport challenges.
Workers, schoolchildren, traders, and others from all walks of life spend hours commuting from their homes to various destinations, especially in the mornings and evenings, during the peak of rush hour.
The situation is exacerbated by a depleted number of commercial vehicles, with drivers overpricing the transport fare for the same distance covered.
Although plans are underway by the Ministry of Transport to procure high-occupancy buses to support private transport operators, many commuters are still spending long and unproductive hours in winding queues at major terminals across the capital.
At the Ayalolo Bus Terminal in Amasaman, commuters who spoke to JoyNews’ Gemma Appiah on January 19 described the situation as a daily struggle.
One commuter said the delays had become routine and were having a serious impact on his work schedule.
“This has been going on every day, and it is serious,” he said, explaining that he often waits between 30 and 40 minutes before getting a vehicle to Adjiringanor each morning. “Every day, this is the situation. Sometimes I can be in the queue for almost 30 to 40 minutes, and it has not gotten to my turn.”
He added that he is usually expected to report to work by 7:30 or 8:00 am but often arrives late because of the persistent transport delays.
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Another commuter shared a similar experience, saying he had been in the queue for nearly 40 minutes and was still waiting for a vehicle, despite needing to be at work by 7:30 am.
He attributed his delay to the ongoing transportation challenges at the terminal.
Some commuters also complained that buses often become full before everyone can board, forcing passengers to stand for long periods.
They described the situation as frustrating and uncomfortable, particularly after long working hours.
The situation is not limited to Amasaman, as commuters from Lapaz to Circle, Kasoa to Accra and Ablekuma to Circle also face such challenges.
The underlying crisis in the transport sector remains volatile:
- Sector Instability: The Concerned Drivers Association has intensified calls for the dismissal of the Transport Minister, accusing the leadership of failing to implement long-promised spatial and transport master plans that could alleviate congestion.
- Operational Costs: While spare parts prices for most vehicles have remained stable, the Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association noted that costs for Mercedes-Benz Sprinter components—the backbone of the city’s transport fleet—have seen sharp increases.
Government and GPRTU at Loggerheads
The government has been quick to condemn the unauthorised increases.
The Minister of State in charge of Government Communication, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has urged the public to resist paying any fare that has not been officially gazetted.
He maintained that while the government acknowledges the challenges, unilateral hikes undermine the social contract and economic stability.
However, the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has signalled that its members are at a breaking point.
While the union has officially called for calm, local branches have expressed that the delay in reviewing the standard fare structure—amidst rising operational costs—is forcing drivers to take matters into their own hands to avoid total business collapse.
The Abossey Okai contradiction
The drivers’ claims of unbearable operational costs have been partially challenged by the Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association.
The only outlier in this stability is the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicle.
Speaking in an interview, Mr Otchere explained that components for private vehicles, including Toyota Vitz cars commonly used by ride-hailing services, have seen significant price reductions.
“If you come to the Toyota Vitz with Uber and everything, prices have dropped. Batteries and others, too. The dollar is down, so there is no reason why we should be raising our prices,” he said.
According to him, the only notable challenge in the market relates to spare parts for Sprinter buses, which are widely used for public transport, and the individuals who import and sell those vehicles.
“We have a challenge with the Sprinter buses and the people who sell the Sprinters. That’s the only challenge we have. Aside from that, if you go to all the stores around here, prices have dropped,” he noted.
Mr Otchere supported his claims with examples, indicating that engines which previously sold for GH¢15,000 are now going for about GH¢10,000, while engine oil prices have dropped from GH¢600 to GH¢350. He added that batteries, once sold for GH¢1,700, are now priced between GH¢1,000 and GH¢1,002.
He also commended the government for stabilising the currency and creating conditions that have led to reduced prices in the spare parts market.
“Prices have dropped, and we have to give credit to the government. They are doing a very good job,” Mr Otchere stated.
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