The Minister of Transport, Joseph Nikpe Bukari, has described a closed-door meeting with private transport operators as fruitful, as the government intensifies efforts to address the growing transport challenges in Accra and other parts of the country.

The meeting follows persistent complaints from commuters over the shortage of commercial vehicles, despite earlier government assurances that the procurement of new buses would ease the situation.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting on Monday, January 19, the minister said discussions with the transport unions were detailed and aimed at restoring sanity to the transport sector.

“I must say that it was a very elaborate and fruitful deliberation we had with our unions, and I believe that when we put these measures into practice, we will see some sanity in the transport system,” the Minister said.

He also stated that drivers raised concerns about traders occupying transport stations and major roads, a situation he said is reducing the turnaround time of vehicles and worsening the transport crisis.

“If a vehicle would have made four trips a day, they are forced to do two trips, and they feel that the local government, through all the MMDCEs, should help sanitise the streets and get all these traders who are not supposed to be at all those points out so that the roads will be free and there will be free movement of vehicles and persons.”

Earlier, the minister had been locked in a closed-door meeting with private transport operators, as checks by JoyNews across various parts of the city showed many commuters stranded while waiting for commercial vehicles.

The situation, which has affected several parts of Accra and other regions, continues to frustrate commuters who struggle daily to secure transport to work, school and other destinations.

Meanwhile, the private transport operators in Accra, including the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), have agreed to establish a joint task force to address the persistent transport challenges facing commuters in the capital.