On Monday, September 28, 2026, Local Government Minister Mahama Ayariga told Eyewitness News that the government’s planned expansion of the Aayalolo Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system is designed to lure private motorists into using public transport rather than displacing trotro operators.
He explained that the introduction of a contra‑flow arrangement on major corridors will not collapse the ‘trotro’ business, arguing that demand for commercial transport services will remain strong. "I don’t think so. I actually don’t think so," Ayariga said.
The minister said the focus is on providing private car owners with a reliable, comfortable alternative during peak hours. He noted that many motorists choose cars because existing public transport does not offer the speed, convenience and predictability they need.
"What I want to do is to actually take out the car owners who every morning you’re standing by the roadside…you see one person sitting in the car," he said. He added that a dependable Aayalolo service could encourage commuters to leave their cars at home, offering faster journeys into Accra.
"If you gave them an alternative, which is a clean, rapid transport system, a bus where he goes, he doesn’t have to sweat; he just stands. And in 15, 20 minutes, he is at Accra Central," Ayariga explained. He highlighted that fixed departure times would allow commuters to organise their schedules around predictable journey times.
Despite the expansion, Ayariga stressed that the continued demand for transport between major destinations would keep trotro operators relevant. "I don’t see how that will collapse the transport system because there’s still a lot of work for transport stations in between the two far ends," he said.
The government is set to introduce the contra‑flow arrangement on Tuesday, September 29, on the Adenta–Accra, Kasoa–Accra and Amasaman–Accra corridors during peak hours. The scheme will let Aayalolo buses use designated lanes in the opposite direction of normal traffic flow to bypass congestion and improve journey times into Accra’s Central Business District.
As the BRT rollout progresses, commuters and trotro operators alike will watch closely to see how the new system reshapes daily travel patterns in the capital.
