Sprinter buses unsuitable for passenger transport – Consultant warns

A Transport Consultant, Cecil Gabrah, says Ghana’s commercial transport needs a bus upgrade and better choices.

He disclosed that Ghana largely used the wrong type of buses for commercial transportation.

According to him, specific buses designed for public commercial transportation are not being utilized, adding that Sprinter vans commonly seen on the roads are unsuitable for passenger use.

He stated, “I always advise my family and friends never to travel in Sprinter buses because they are not designed for human passengers.”

Mr Gabrah said that genuine passenger buses are longer and equipped with aluminium seats, making them lighter.

He indicated that, when occupied, they maintain the correct weight distribution as calibrated for the vehicle.

“The cargo vans being modified at fitting shops, where heavy angle irons are welded into them, are problematic. Their centre of gravity becomes unstable, yet we continue to register these vans as passenger vehicles.”

“I am not saying we should destroy their business but they will find their way out,” he said.

Mr Gabrah suggested that Ghana should adopt effective practices to improve urban transportation.

He mentioned that Ghana can learn from Brazil’s example.

“Brazil began its transformation in 1974. Today, their cities have significantly reduced traffic congestion. The strength of their system lies in meticulous planning, and this is what our country needs,” he said in an interview on Joy News on July 17.

The transport consultant commented on a discussion on Ghana’s transportation sector challenges and how to pragmatically deal with traffic congestion other than the botched attempt by Parliament to pass a law that will remove speed limit and permit parliamentarians, ministers of state and judges to use sirens.

The predominant mode of transport in the country is road transport.

The National Transport Policy (2020) estimates that road transport has a market share of over 95 per cent and 90 per cent of passenger and cargo traffic, respectively.

It also advocates for the implementation of urban transport projects such as the Ghana Urban Transport Project (GUTP) including Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and school busing schemes.

Commercial vehicles, popularly called “trotro”, which includes sprinter buses are the main mode of road transport, accounting for about 60 per cent of passenger movement, while taxis take 14.5 per cent, with private vehicles catering for the remaining passenger traffic.

Source:theghanareport.com