By: Ebenezer Adu-Gyamfi / Emmanuel Ayiku for GhanaianNewsCanada 15/1/2026
Residents of Accra are increasingly finding it difficult to secure buses to their homes, especially during peak morning and evening hours, raising concerns about the city’s already strained public transport system.
Across major transport hubs such as Circle, Kaneshie, Madina, Tema Station, and Lapaz, commuters report spending long hours in queues with no certainty of getting a bus. Many workers, students, and traders say they are forced to leave work earlier than usual or resort to expensive alternatives just to make it home.
The situation has been attributed to a shortage of operational buses within the city. Public transport services, including Metro Mass Transit and the Ayalolo Bus Rapid Transit system, are currently operating far below expected capacity due to mechanical breakdowns, poor maintenance, and limited fleet availability. As a result, demand far outweighs supply during rush hours.
Private commercial drivers, particularly trotros, have also been blamed for worsening the problem. Some commuters allege that drivers avoid official terminals during peak hours to operate freely on the roads, where they can charge higher fares. This practice reduces the number of vehicles available at designated stations, leaving passengers stranded.
Urban growth and population increase have further intensified the challenge. As Accra continues to expand, many residents now live far from their workplaces, increasing reliance on public transport. However, transport infrastructure and planning have not kept pace with this rapid expansion, exposing deep structural weaknesses in the system.
For many commuters, the impact is more than inconvenience. Some arrive home late at night, raising safety concerns, while others spend a significant portion of their daily income on transportation due to fare hikes caused by scarcity.
Government agencies say efforts are being made to ease the pressure by reallocating buses to busy city routes during peak periods. However, commuters argue that these measures offer only temporary relief and fail to address the underlying issues.
Transport analysts are calling for long-term solutions, including increased investment in mass transit, strict regulation of private operators, and better maintenance of existing buses. Without urgent action, they warn, Accra’s transport difficulties could continue to affect productivity, safety, and the overall quality of life for residents.
As the city grows, many residents believe reliable and affordable transportation should no longer be a privilege but a necessity that authorities must prioritize.
