Residents of Ashaiman are facing transportation challenges because of the Christmas season, as shortages of commercial vehicles affect mobility within the municipality.

Some commercial motorcycle riders, popularly known as okada, said demand for their services usually peaks on December 31, compared to the early days of the month.

Mr Francis Ayambila, an okada rider at Ashaiman Lebanon, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that, despite market fluctuations, the end of the year remained profitable for riders.

He said December 31 was always a busy day, as many people travelled to attend social events and church programmes.

Meanwhile, some taxi drivers described a challenging operating environment.

A taxi driver who identified himself as “Arrow Bwoy” said business had been slow due to rising fuel prices and poor road conditions in some parts of Ashaiman.

He explained that many drivers had resorted to operating hiring services only, “dropping” to minimise fuel consumption and vehicle damage, forcing passengers who could not afford private fares to queue for trotros. 

Mr Godwin Fiema, a commercial vehicle (trotro) conductor plying the Ashaiman–Ada route, said another challenge was low commuter turnout during certain hours of the day.

He noted that although vehicles were available between 0800 and 1100 hours, there were often few passengers during that period, resulting in reduced earnings.

For commuters, the situation has been frustrating.

Mr Peter Tege, a resident travelling to Oyibi, said the shortage of vehicles was unusually high, saying that he waited in long queues for hours, only to watch overcrowded cars pass without stopping.

However, some drivers reported better business conditions, as Mr Emmanuel Adunya, who operates on the Ashaiman–Swedru and Ashaiman–Madina routes, said demand for transport services had been strong since the beginning of December.

He explained that while he averaged GH¢3,000 in weekly sales last year, he had exceeded that figure this year.

Some people observed that the situation reflected a shift in transport patterns during the festive season, as many Ashaiman-based drivers had relocated to long-distance routes such as Accra–Ho to take advantage of higher fares, leaving local commuters struggling to find transport.