Two university lecturers have called for a complete transformation of Ghana’s public transportation system, arguing that the current model has become outdated and is costing the economy billions of cedis every year.

The academics said persistent challenges such as overcrowded terminals, long waiting times and unreliable services demonstrate the need for a modern and efficient transport network that can support the country’s growing population and economic activities.

Speaking separately to The Ghanaian Times after recent reports on commuter difficulties, the lecturers said Ghana’s largely informal transport structure was affecting productivity, increasing business costs and placing unnecessary burdens on passengers.

They proposed the development of an integrated transport system driven by stronger regulation, digital innovation and long-term investment in transport infrastructure.

An Associate Professor of Transport Geography at the University of Ghana, Prof. Ernest Agyemang, described the current situation as a major concern, pointing to several inefficiencies within the sector.

He cited the practice where passengers travelling from Madina to the University of Ghana are sometimes charged fares up to Circle, even when they get off at Legon, while the same seat is later sold to another passenger heading towards Accra.

According to Prof. Agyemang, such practices reflect deeper problems within a transport system heavily dominated by informal operators, who account for about 95 per cent of passenger movements in the country.

He said research shows that Ghana loses more than GH¢4.5 billion annually due to traffic congestion, including lost working hours, increased fuel consumption and health-related effects.

To address the challenges, he recommended a trunk-feeder transport model, where large buses operate on major routes while smaller vehicles provide connections from residential communities to main corridors.

He also called for the introduction of digital route planning, real-time travel information systems, electronic payment platforms, dedicated bus lanes and improved traffic management.

Meanwhile, Associate Professor of Hospitality and Tourism at the University of Energy and Natural Resources, Prof. Ricky Yao Nutsugbodo, described Ghana’s transport sector as highly informal, inefficient and inadequately regulated.

He blamed years of limited investment, weak oversight and poor coordination for the country’s heavy dependence on trotros and taxis, which he said were not suitable as the foundation of a modern transport system.

Prof. Nutsugbodo noted that initiatives such as Metro Mass Transit and Aayalolo had achieved limited results because they operated on the same congested roads without dedicated lanes and sustainable operational structures.

He advocated for a multimodal transport system that combines buses, rail services, bicycles and commercial motorcycles, with solutions tailored to both urban centres and rural communities.

Using examples from cities including London, Singapore, Tokyo, Nairobi and Lagos, he said successful transport networks rely on coordinated planning, smooth connections between different transport modes, integrated ticketing systems and effective use of technology.

The two academics stressed that reforming Ghana’s transport system is critical to improving mobility, reducing congestion, supporting trade and tourism, and promoting sustainable national development.