By Bernice Bessey
The first phase of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) on the Amasaman to the Central Business District (CBD) corridor is expected to start on 1st July, this year, the Chief Executive of Accra Metropolitan (AMA), Dr. Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije says.
Although the BRT was in four phases: Amasaman -CBD, Adenta-CBD, Kasoa-CBD and Tema through the Beach the Amasaman to the Central Business District, commuters from Amasama and its environs would be the first to enjoy the new transport reforms.
Dr. Vanderpuije announced this at a press conference organised by the Steering Committee on Urban Transportation in Accra (SCUTA), attended by Chief Executives of the 13 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) and various transport operators representatives in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA).
The press conference was also to harmonize Trotro (bus) and Taxi Stickers and update on quality bus service on the Amasama-Tutu Corridor.
Even though there were several controversies over the new transport reforms when it was first announced in October last year, the Mayor was of the view that the initiative would address the numerous challenges faced by commuters in Accra and its surrounding communities.
Since infrastructure improvements alone would not yield the necessary benefits, the intended reforms are holistically addressing the institutional, regulatory and industry challenges experienced, he said.
As the Road Traffic Regulations (LI2180) required every transport operator to register and operate under appropriate and stipulated condition, the mayor then charged all urban public transportation services to acquire operating permits from the local Assemblies.
“This means that every transport group must register drivers and vehicles with the local assembly where their loading station is located,” he said.
He stated that the Local Government Service was assisting the assemblies in this course while the 13 SCUTA members which comprise of the AMA, Ga East Muncipal Assembly (GEMA), Kpone Katamanso Municipal Assembly (KKDA), La Dadekotopon Municipal (LaDMA), Tema Municipal Assembly (TMA), Awutu Senya East Municipal Assembly (ASEMA), and Ashaiman Municipal Assembly (Ashma).
The rest are La Nkwantanan Madina Municipal Assembly (LaNMMA), Ga West Municipal Assembly (GWMA), Ledzokuku Municipal Assembly, Ga South Municipal Assembly (GSMA), Ga Central Municipal Assembly (GCMA) and Adentan Municipal Assembly (AdMA) have agreed to set up central passenger transport in the metropolis.
“The public transport infrastructure is being improved by providing dedicated bus stops, terminals, bus lanes and the required enforcement measures to ensure that the current long journey times experienced during peak hours are reduced substantially,” the Mayor added.
He indicated that since last October, enforcement activities resulted in the registration of 40 new taxi and trotro groups, with a total membership of 1,365 drivers: “this bring to 544 the total number of registered taxi and trotro groups in GAMA”.
During the enforcement exercise, a total of 21 unapproved stations were closed down across GAMA, while 19 unregistered stations regularized their activities and were issued with operating permits and 11 others were relocated first before being issued with operating permits.
“We are calling on all interested parties, stakeholders and the operators to support in making the urban sector efficient, effective, safe, reliable and profitable,” Dr. Vanderpuije appealed.
Mr-Alfred-Okoe-Vanderpuijer-Accra-Mayor-reading-the-statement-with-him-is-Mr.-Isaac-Djangmah-Vanderpuye-Dept.-Greater-Accra-Regional-Minister