National Cadet Corps to intervene in transport chaos

The National Cadet Corps has stepped in to cushion commuters as Accra grapples with an acute public transport shortage that has left passengers stranded for hours.

The national capital has in recent days witnessed long queues stretching through major streets and lorry parks, with the limited number of commercial vehicles unable to meet peak-hour demand.

The situation has heightened commuter frustration, particularly among workers and students who rely on public transport daily to get to schools, offices and markets.

In many cases, drivers have taken advantage of the scarcity to charge unapproved and inflated fares, further burdening passengers already contending with delays and uncertainty.

Several commuters report waiting for hours before securing a vehicle, only to pay more than the regulated fares.

Against this backdrop, the National Cadet Corps Ghana (NCCG) has launched what it describes as a voluntary intervention to provide temporary relief, especially for students and teachers who are among the hardest hit by the crisis.

Guided by its principles of service and volunteerism, the corps has deployed its buses to operate free shuttle services during peak periods.

The buses are serving key corridors including Kwame Nkrumah Circle, Kasoa, Amasaman, Achimota, Nungua and Madina. Operations run from 6:00 am to 9:00 am and again from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, times that coincide with the heaviest commuter traffic. Teachers and students can board at designated stops along these routes or reserve seats through dedicated contact lines.

The intervention aligns with broader government efforts to stabilise public transport services.

The government recently announced plans to support Metro Mass Transit, Ayalolo, and private operators with new high-occupancy buses to address persistent shortages.

Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyeman said the move is intended to ease commuter hardship and restore confidence in the transport system.

“In this vein, His Excellency, the President, has asked me to assure all of you that he will give support to Metro Mass, Ayalolo, and the private sector with new high-occupancy buses,” she said.

She explained that the additional buses would augment existing services in the medium term, while the government also works to restore idle capacity.

“We also have plans to ensure that those that need to be repaired, the process will be expedited to ensure they can put more buses on the road as soon and as quickly as possible,” the Vice President added.

Beyond fleet expansion, Prof Opoku-Agyeman underscored the importance of road rehabilitation, describing it as critical to productivity and access to essential services. She also urged transport operators to act responsibly, noting, “We want to ensure that no passenger feels exploited, whether through fares, queues, or lapses in safety protocols.”

As authorities pursue longer-term solutions, the NCCG’s free shuttle initiative is expected to provide short-term relief to hundreds of commuters navigating Accra’s transport crunch.