Transport services digitized

–Starting with Metro Mass toimprove operational efficiency

By Elvis DARKO, Accra

Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia has launched a multi-functional, cross-utility card to access and pay for public transport services across the country, aiming to improve operational efficiency and ease of accessing public transport services.

The Tap n’ Go Transport service, starting with the Metro Mass Transit Limited’s Inter-City Services, will soon be rolled out to other transport operators like the Ghana Private Road transport Union (GPRTU), VIP, VVIP, STC, taxis, and trotros.

This initiative aims to address the many challenges facing the sector, including corruption, lack of transparency, and accountability, according to officials of the Ministry of Transport.

The initiative was designed by a young talented Ghanaian IT Solution developer, in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport and the Office of the Vice President.

Entire transport eco-system

The ‘Tap & Go’ system seeks to build a single system for the entire transport eco-system for inter and intra-city bus services, commercial transport (Trotro), loading taxi services, and taxi hailing (uber-like) services for commuting passengers in Ghana.

The new system is completely different from the Closed Loop System designed for the Aayalolo buses some time ago, but is an advanced one with many enhanced features.

Serving as an inclusive platform for all types of public transport service in Ghana, Tap n’ Go aims to revolutionize the country’s public transport experience by helping to curb age-old problems associated with the public transport system such as corruption, mistrust between drivers, mates, and vehicle owners, as well as the hassle of cash transactions causing needless delays over fare change.

There will be fixed security cameras on the buses to monitor the time and speed of drivers, check onboard passengers, and respond swiftly to any emergencies.

It will also formalize the public transport sector to respond to the fourth industrial revolution- ICT and digitization- which the world’s economy is embracing.

At the launch of the ‘Tap & Go’ System and Ticketing Solution for the Metro Mass Transit Limited in Accra, Dr. Bawumia said the initiative was a major milestone in promoting a cashless society and digitally empowering the public transport system to deliver quality services.

He noted that the initiative adds to the many digital solutions the government has been implementing over the past seven years and yielding positive results.

Dr. Bawumia outlined other features inherent in the new system including tracking, parcel delivery, taxi hailing, and inter and intra-city services to the commuting passengers.

The Vice-President said the initiative would help curb diversion of funds and plug revenue leakages in the public transport operations.

He announced that the government would secure 100 electric buses for the MMT this year, to boost its operations.

“Today marks another landmark in our nation’s digital journey, and the quest for a cashless society. The launch of the Tap n’ Go Transport service for Metro Mass Inter-City Services, our latest digital initiative for the transport sector, is a momentous occasion in our journey towards a more efficient and digitally empowered transportation system.

“Soon, almost every transport operator, from VIP to VVIP, from STC to Aayalolo, will be able to offer its patrons, the Tap n’ Go experience.

“Just as all the digital initiatives we have, the Tap n’ Go is designed to ensure ease of use for both drivers and the general public through a digital card preloaded with cash, or through the Tap n’ Go app downloaded on a phone,” he explained.

With the Tap n’ Go system, the common problem of boarding a trotro/bus with a 50, 100, or a 200 Cedi note and its associated discomfort of the driver’s mate not having change and spending more time, will soon be a thing of the past.

With the Tap n’ Go system, the issue of drivers not trusting their mates to fully account for the day’s sales will soon be a thing of the past.

With the Tap n’ Go system, the problem of vehicle owners worrying about accurate daily takings and the whereabouts of their vehicles at any given time, will be a thing of the past.

With the Tap n’ Go system, the problem of diversion of funds within state-owned intra and inter-city buses will be a thing of the past, as the system will help check corruption by promoting transparency.

“With the launch of the Tap n’ Go for Metro Mass inter-city services, we are moving into a new, digitalized public transport system, where our journeys begin with a simple tap, where every seat on a public bus is just a click away, where the hassle of cash transactions fades into oblivion, where there will be transparency between car owners, drivers, and mates, and most importantly, where there will not necessarily be the need to carry cash to access public transport in Ghana” an elated Dr. Bawumia declared.

Extolling the potential and actual benefits of the Tap n’ Go system on Ghana’s public transport sector, Dr. Bawumia called on all stakeholders in the sector to “embrace this opportunity with open arms and work together towards a future where every journey is safe, efficient, and accessible to all.”

“The launch of Tap n’ Go inter-city with Metro Mass Transport, further underlines our commitment to embracing technology for the betterment of our nation.

“This adds to the number of digital interventions we have pursued over the past seven years to not only make access to public service easier but also to address many issues in our society, including corruption.

“I am confident the Tap n Go system will serve as a powerful tool in addressing these issues to ensure transparency in ticketing, mitigate revenue losses, reduce waiting times at terminals, and optimize operational costs.”

Mr Kwaku Ofori Asiama, the Minister of Transport, on his part, said the initiative was a game-changer in the public transport sector, which would ensure affordable and reliable access to public transport services by the commuting public.

“This is a new phase of digital revolution and would redefine the future of public transport system in Ghana,” Mr Asiama stressed.

Mr. Albert Adu Boahen, the Managing Director of MMT, in his welcome remarks, stated that the initiative would bring efficiency to the company’s operations and minimize revenue losses.

“We can analyze usage patterns, identify peak travel times, and tailor our services to better meet the needs of our customers. This data-driven approach will help us optimize route operations, allocate resources more effectively, and ultimately enhance the commuter experience,” he noted.

Additionally, he said the Tap n Go represents MMTL’s unwavering commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction, stressing that “our success hinges on our ability to adapt and evolve with the times, and this latest initiative is a testament to that philosophy”.

“We are already experiencing the profound change that new technologies bring to the way we live, work, interact, and do business. With the use of Tap n Go, Kaneshie bus terminal became the first in the nation to go completely cashless, and by May 31, 2024, we intend to have all 25 of our terminals going cashless,” he revealed.

The Kaneshie terminal of Metro Mass Transit Ltd was first to introduce it and by 31st May, this year all the 25 branches of the company would be networked to the Tap&System to optimise operations, Mr Adu Boahen stated.

The public can download and install the Tap&Go application on AppStore or playStore.

They can also access it by using the USSD by dialing *713*091#.