It is an open secret that transportation remains one of the major challenges facing residents of Accra, especially workers who must wake up very early just to get to work on time.
Countless man-hours are lost daily in traffic because of narrow roads, congestion and the limited transportation options available to commuters.
Private commercial transport operators have taken advantage of this heavy dependence on public transport.
Many have adopted the “short-short” loading approach, effectively charging passengers two or even three times the normal fare for the same journey.
The situation becomes unbearable during rush hours, early in the morning and after work, when commuters are desperate to reach their destinations.
It was, therefore, a major relief when the government introduced the Metro Mass Transit (MMT) system.
For many commuters, especially those travelling from outlying areas such as Kasoa, Afienya, Ashaiman, Adenta, Oyibi, Pantang, Teshie and Dodowa, the intra-city buses provided a cheaper, more reliable alternative to reach work and return home.
However, while MMT has undoubtedly been beneficial, the service also presents significant concerns that demand urgent attention.
Chief among these is the way the buses are packed.
Even when a bus is visibly full, conductors and drivers continue to load more passengers, turning the buses into cramped and uncomfortable spaces.
Passengers often find themselves shoulder-to-shoulder and breathing down one another’s necks.
Personal comfort becomes a luxury, and people must endure others stepping on them as they struggle for space.
Artisans, traders, office workers and individuals from all walks of life, some neatly dressed, others visibly sweaty and soiled, are all squeezed together with little regard for personal space or hygiene.
The situation becomes even more alarming when one considers public health implications.
In such overcrowded conditions, passengers are exposed to all forms of bodily odours, coughs, sneezes and potential communicable diseases.
If even one person on the bus carries an infectious condition, the chances of rapid transmission become very high.
In the long run, such practices could inadvertently contribute to a public health crisis.
For this reason, it would be prudent for the management of MMT to review and strictly enforce passenger limits on their buses.
While providing affordable transport is important, it should not come at the expense of public safety.
Ensuring reasonable loading practices will not only protect commuters but also enhance the long-term credibility and sustainability of the MMT system.
A stitch in time, indeed, saves nine. Addressing this issue promptly will help prevent avoidable health risks while ensuring that the solution to Accra’s transport challenges does not itself become part of the problem.
Kwadwo Baffoe Donkor.
Adenta-Accra.
E-mail:
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh