The Aayalolo transport under the Greater Accra Passengers Transport Executive (GAPTE) project was well-welcomed due to its accessibility and affordability.
Its patronization by the general public contributed to greater productivity and enhanced government revenue generation.
A compact bus designed to accommodate 86 passengers, 40 seated and 46 standees in its full capacity.
People commonly board along the Kasoa route and the Central Business District at a low fare of ghc6.50p. It was later increased to Ghc8.00 when there was hikes in fuel prices.
As it stands, it has been outrageously increased to GHC9.50p defeating the purpose for which it was introduced and competing with other commercial transport services called Trotro.
The bus noted for carrying passengers in excess exceeding the standard capacity making it difficult for anyone to find seat while travelling from Accra to Kasoa before arriving at their destination and sometimes, packing goods at the passenger stand struggling to find comfort.
This alarming scenario puts passengers at risk of various infectious and airborne diseases, threatening their lives.
Passengers paying for their fares with the expectation of receiving the exact ticket often end up with less or don’t receive anything at all, under the pretext of a shortage or having forgotten it, ultimately leading to no tickets being issued whatsoever.
This significantly impacts the broader population of Ghanaians who rely on public transportation for their daily commuting to work or running errands.
The way drivers and conductors make frequent stops to pick up passengers causes issues, stress, and discomfort, leading to delays in reaching one’s destination. At times, they exploit circumstances to demand unauthorized fares, especially when transportation is limited and travellers are in a difficult position.
The government needs to reassess the situation to address the challenges linked to its support and ensure cost-effectiveness for the average person to foster greater patronage.
Again, if this situation isn’t managed, it will hinder people’s willingness to board, resulting in it becoming a public nuisance.
