Spatial and land planner, Dr Benedict Arkhurst, has called for the expansion of commuter rail systems to ease the growing transport crisis in Accra and its surrounding areas.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show as part of Joy Sustainability Month, Dr Arkhurst explained that heavy traffic congestion in Accra could be significantly reduced if rail and bus transport plans are implemented.

According to him, the first strategy must be to expand and rehabilitate existing rail lines, while developing new ones to connect Accra with major satellite towns.

“The strategy is to expand or rehabilitate the current commuter rail system. The medium to long-term plan is to develop another rail system linking Accra to Amasaman and Adjen Kotoku, and another one from Accra towards the Kasoa stretch,” he said.

He explained that about 62% of daily trips in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area are inbound towards the city centre. Developing efficient commuter rail systems would therefore ease the pressure on roads, reduce travel time, and encourage people to leave their cars at home.

“If I can move from Adjen Kotoku to Accra within 20 minutes by train, why would I drive my car? That is the idea. People will abandon their cars if the trains are reliable,” he added.

Dr Arkhurst outlined several proposed lines. These include:

A 47.7-kilometre line from Aburi, Adenta, through Madina, the University of Ghana, the airport, Cantonment, and Osu into central Accra, A line from Achimota through Awoshie, Mallam, Weija, West Hills Mall, and the West Hills Mall area, ending at Kasoa, and an expanded line linking Accra to Amasaman and Adjen Kotoku, covering about 48.6 kilometres.

He believes that these routes could cut travel times to the city to as little as 15 to 20 minutes, with multiple trips available daily.

“This is evidence-based planning. If we are committed to developing it, congestion will no longer be the issue it is today in Accra and in most of our major cities,” he said.

Beyond rail, Dr Arkhurst said arterial bus systems must also be part of the strategy. However, he criticised authorities for failing to act on already prepared plans.

“The problem is that we are not implementing the plans. They are there, but until we get serious about execution, Accra’s traffic challenges will remain,” he said.