In Johannesburg, South Africa, the introduction of the Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system has revolutionized public transportation. Ntsika Gqomfa, a historian and tour guide, utilizes this modern system for his daily commute and praises it for being safe, clean, and cost-effective. The Rea Vaya bus system has provided a reliable and efficient solution for the city’s 1.5 million daily transport users.
Offering express buses with fewer stops, the Rea Vaya BRT has helped decrease traffic congestion and energy consumption in the city. It has also been environmentally friendly, reducing vehicle emissions and serving as a major climate change initiative for Johannesburg. The system has carried up to 16,000 passengers on average each weekday, making it a significant mode of transportation for Johannesburg residents.
Meanwhile, in Accra, Ghana, the transportation system faces significant challenges. The majority of commuters rely on privately owned minibuses, known as “trotros,” as their primary means of transportation. Efforts to introduce alternative transportation interventions, such as the Metro Mass buses and the Aayalolo Bus Service, have faced various challenges and issues.
While the Aayalolo Bus Service was meant to provide a rapid public transport system, it has encountered operational and infrastructure challenges, leaving many commuters with no alternative but to use “trotros” for their daily transportation needs. The failure of these public transport systems has been attributed to management failure, politicization, and opposition by transport operators, leaving Accra’s commuters disillusioned with the lack of effective and efficient transportation options.
With air pollution on the rise in Accra, there is an urgent need for the government to invest in a clean, rapid transport system. Cooperatives for the purchase of low-emitting fleet buses under a well-organized Bus Rapid Transit system have been proposed as a solution to improve the city’s public transportation and decrease air pollution.
It’s evident that the success of Johannesburg’s Rea Vaya BRT system highlights the potential for effective and reliable public transportation. While it’s imperative for Accra to learn from Johannesburg’s example, it’s important for the government to prioritize efficient and environmentally friendly public transportation alternatives to address the city’s transportation challenges and improve air quality.
