Only 80 out of 245 Ayalolo buses are operational – GAPTE Acting MD

The Acting Managing Director of the Greater Accra Passenger Transport Executive (GAPTE), Awudu Dawuda, has disclosed that only 80 out of the 245 Ayalolo buses procured by the government in 2016 are currently operational in Accra, exacerbating the ongoing transport challenges in the capital.

His remarks come amid a worsening transport crisis in Accra, which has compelled commuters to queue for extended periods, particularly during peak hours, to access public transport to their destinations.

Aayalolo (a Ga word meaning “still moving on”) is a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system that commenced operations in Accra in 2016. Managed by the GAPTE, the system was designed to alleviate traffic congestion and provide a modern, scheduled public transport option for urban commuters.

However, the services of these buses have slowed down in recent years.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Thursday, January 15, 2026, Mr Dawuda stated that although 245 Ayalolo buses were procured in 2016 to operate solely within Accra, a significant number were later redeployed to other regions.

“When it comes to urban mobility, we are all aware that it is crucial for the growth of any economy, especially when we are seeking to get more buses into the system,” he stated.

“When I took over, we were left with only 80 buses out of the 245 buses that the government procured in 2016. The buses were procured to operate within Accra alone, but 60 were taken to Kumasi, 10 to Takoradi, and another 10 to Tamale at the behest of the then Ministry of Transport,” he explained.

Mr Dawuda said the redeployment severely affected the operations of Ayalolo and limited its capacity to meet commuter demand in the capital.

He, however, disclosed that steps are being taken to restore operations, including efforts to bring back buses stationed outside Accra.

“When I took over, I wrote to the people in charge of the buses in Kumasi, and approval has been granted for us to add the 60 buses there to the ones we have in Accra,” he said.

In addition, he revealed that nearly 60 buses had been parked due to breakdowns, further reducing operational capacity.

“Close to 60 of the buses were packed because they were broken down. What we did was to repair them through our own means to get them back on the road,” he added.

Mr Dawuda expressed optimism that these interventions would help ease the transport burden on commuters in Accra in the coming weeks.