Government to launch Tap and Go transport system February 19

Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia will launch government’s ‘Tap & Go’ transport system on Monday, February 19, 2024.

The initiative is designed to formalize and harmonize the informal transport sector through the implementation of proven and well-structured technology solutions.

It also forms part of government’s Digital Ghana Agenda, aimed at digitalizing the Ghanaian economy to ensure no one is left behind in contributing to and benefiting from national development.

The launch is scheduled to the take place at the head office of Metro Mass Transit Limited (MMTL) at 9:00 am on Monday, February 19, 2024.

A statement from the MMTL announcing the forthcoming launch, also indicated steps being taken to revolutionize public transportation in the country.

It said “this project will help to build a single system for the entire transport ecosystem for all the various transport operators to enhance efficiency and bring about transport fare stability in Ghana.”

Background

Last year, the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) launched a ‘Tap and Go’ service for taxi drivers and was piloted in parts of Africa. It came in two formats – one works like the ride hailing services, where the taxi driver has an App and the passenger also has an App. So the driver can call for pick up and drop off.

The other version is a metering system, where the meter in the taxi begins to read one the rider sits in and the strip starts.

It is expected that this one to be launched by the government will enhance the GPRTU version.

The challenge however, is whether commercial drivers in Ghana will be willing to use the service since they have proven not to like the use of technology in their work. The way out may be to make the it compulsory for the purposes of monitoring for taxation.

The other challenge would be maintenance of the Tap and Go platform and its related costs as well as commissions for the use of the platform.

Already, users of App belonging to popular ride hailing companies like Uber, Bolt and Yango have been complaining about high commissions and have been fighting for reduction. It will be interesting to see how that kind of scenario will play out when the new Tap and Go system goes nationwide, that is even if government will be able to scale it.

Source:techfocus24