Transport Minister says Transport Problems Identified, Plans Underway

By: Maame Efua Kwaduah

The Ministry of Transport has reached an agreement with transport operators on a comprehensive work plan aimed at resolving the ongoing transportation crisis that has plagued commuters since mid-December.

The agreement follows weeks of severe transport challenges marked by long queues at terminals, reduced vehicle availability and significant hardship for the commuting public. The situation, according to government, raised serious concern at the highest levels, prompting urgent engagements between the Ministry of Transport and various transport unions.

According to the Transport Minister, Joseph Nikpe Bukari, the ministry initiated extensive consultations with transport operators to diagnose the root causes of the crisis and develop practical, sector-wide solutions.

“We started engaging the unions themselves and asked fundamental questions about what the real problems in our transport industry are,” he noted.

These engagements, he said, led to the identification of several operational gaps across the transport sector, culminating in a structured work plan to address them.

A key outcome of the agreement is the commitment by transport unions to take the lead in enforcing discipline among their members. He revealed that the unions have agreed to ensure that all commercial vehicles operate strictly from designated terminals, eliminating the activities of unregulated or “floating” drivers who pick up passengers along routes and charge arbitrary fares.

According to the minister, the unions are also prepared to introduce structured loading systems where necessary, aimed at maximizing passenger movement from one point to another, especially during peak hours.

As part of enforcement measures, the unions will introduce identification tags or stickers on all commercial vehicles. This system will make it easy to identify which union a vehicle belongs to and detect vehicles operating outside approved terminals.

“If you see a vehicle on the road, you will know which union it belongs to and whether it is operating legitimately or engaging in floating activities and charging unauthorized fares,” the minister noted.

In addition, transport unions have agreed to join a joint task force with the Ministry of Transport to ensure strict compliance with agreements reached in May last year regarding operational standards in the sector.

To further ease the burden on commuters, the minister disclosed that some Tata buses will be deployed to support mass transportation, particularly to help move workers from home to work and back during peak periods.

Mr. Nikpe also acknowledged concerns raised by drivers regarding encroachment at transport terminals and along major roadsides. According to drivers, trading activities around stations have reduced vehicle turnaround times, limiting the number of daily trips they can make.

“In some cases, vehicles that could have made four trips a day are now forced to do only two because of congestion and encroachment,” the minister said.

He assured that the ministry will issue sector-specific directives based on the recommendations agreed upon and work with all stakeholders to ensure full implementation of the measures. The Transport Minister expressed confidence that the collaborative approach between government and transport unions will restore order, improve efficiency, and bring lasting relief to commuters across the country.