The Greater Accra Passenger Transport Executive (GAPTE), operators of the Aayalolo Quality Bus Service, has announced a major operational intervention to tackle Accra’s perennial traffic congestion with the introduction of a Contra-Flow Bus Priority System on four of the capital’s most congested corridors.
The service, according to the Managing Director of GAPTE, Lawyer Dawuda Awudu, will commence on Tuesday, 28th September, 2026, after a joint traffic simulation exercise with the Ghana Police Service (MTTD), the Department of Urban Roads, the Ministry of Transport and other stakeholders.
Addressing the press in Accra on Monday, Lawyer Awudu said the intervention is in direct furtherance of the President’s Reset Agenda under the 24-Hour Economy Policy.
“A 24-Hour Economy cannot function without an efficient transport system. Workers, traders, health professionals, security personnel and hospitality staff must be able to move safely and affordably to and from work, even beyond the traditional 8am to 5pm window,” he stated.
“Transport is the engine of the 24-Hour Economy. Without reliable public transport, factories cannot run night shifts, markets cannot operate late, and port operations cannot be de-congested.
The Contra-Flow system is our contribution to ensuring that mobility does not become the bottleneck to productivity.”
The GAPTE boss expressed profound gratitude to the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, for his instrumental role in the initiative.
According to him, the Minister recognized that traffic congestion is not just a transport problem but a local governance and productivity problem, and personally provided policy direction to align all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies along the four corridors.
Lawyer Awudu explained that Accra’s population has grown from less than 1 million in the 1970s to almost 5 million, but road capacity has not kept pace. While a private car moves 4 people, one Aayalolo bus moves 80 people.
“To achieve our mandate of providing dignified, efficient and affordable public transport, we must prioritize the movement of PEOPLE over the movement of VEHICLES,” he stressed.
The Contra-Flow system, a globally proven measure used in Tokyo, Bogota, Seoul and Johannesburg, will allow Aayalolo buses to use a dedicated lane on the OPPOSITE side of the main carriageway – the side that is typically free-flowing during peak hours.
For instance, in the morning when traffic is heavy towards Accra, one of the outbound lanes will be cordoned off and reserved exclusively for Aayalolo buses heading inbound. The lanes will be marked with cones, reflective dividers, signage and manned by GAPTE Route Wardens and Police MTTD officers.
He warned that no private car, taxi, trotro, okada or truck will be allowed to use the contra-flow lane during operational hours.
The Four Corridors
Amasaman Corridor:
Pick-up Points – Amasaman, Kwame Nkrumah Circle and Achimota
Pokuase Corridor: Pick-up Points – Pokuase, Kwame Nkrumah Circle and Achimota
Kasoa Corridor:
Pick-up Points – Kasoa Main Station, Tuba Junction, Old Barrier, Weija Barrier and Kaneshie First Light
Adentan Corridor:
Pick-up Points – Adentan Barrier, Madina Zongo Junction, Legon/Okponglo and 37 Military Hospital.
Hours and Benefits
The system will operate only during peak periods:
– Morning Peak (Inbound to CBD): 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM
– Evening Peak (Outbound from CBD): 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Outside these hours, roads will be fully open to all traffic.
Lawyer Awudu said commuters on the Kasoa to Tudu stretch, who currently spend about two and a half hours in traffic, will now spend 40-50 minutes.
He added that the system will improve reliability, increase capacity, and enhance safety in a protected lane.
“For years, we have told commuters to use public transport, but we have not given public transport priority on the road. Today we are correcting that. Those 80 people in a bus must be given priority over that 1 person in a car,” he said.
