BRT Buses Start Pilot Operations


The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system on Monday began a pilot test of operations in some parts of Accra by offering free rides to commuters.

The free rides which will end on Friday will help the operators of the system assess its efficiency.

The route being piloted is the Amasaman-Achimota-Ofankor-Tudu stretch with bus stations at Amasaman, Achimota, Ofankor and Tudu.

Speaking on an Accra based Radio, Citi FM Monday morning, the Marketing and Communications Manager of BRT system, Rolan Bruce, said nine buses have been allocated for the test run and will operate from 5am to 12pm during the pilot period.

He explained that “overall, it’s going to limit your stay in traffic between 10 and 15 minutes.”

He noted that other routes would be brought on board within the next six to 12 months. 

President John Dramani Mahama during one of his “Accounting to the People tour” of the Greater Accra Region, promised that the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system will revolutionise public transport in Accra when the system becomes operational later this year.

He noted that one of the major drawbacks to the development of Accra as a modern city was that it lacked a proper public transport system.

"And so this is the beginning of a new modern public transport network for Accra," he said after inspecting the Ofankor terminal of the BRT last Tuesday as part of his The implementation of the BRT system is in line with the government's commitment to improve the transport sector. 

According to him the special buses would avoid congested roads by plying dedicated routes to ensure fast movement within the metropolis are already in the country.

Achimota-Accra, Amasaman-Accra and Ofankor-Accra have been selected as routes for the first phase of the BRT system.
President Mahama was impressed with work done when he visited the Ofankor terminal. 

He said the buses would move according to time, whether they were full or not.

"There will be two kinds of buses, the express bus, which will go direct, while the other buses will make stops on their routes. It's going to be a new system and you can use your mobile phone to pay the fare through mobile money," he added.


SOURCE: Daily Graphic