The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has suspended its enforcement of road traffic regulations to create a congenial operational environment for the quality bus services along the Accra-CMB-Amasaman corridor pending the inauguration of a new board.
The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the assembly, Numo Blafo II, who disclosed this, said the assembly would focus on education and sensitisation of the public until a new board for the quality bus service was reconstituted to give directives on the way forward.
The enforcement activities which were carried out by the city through Greater Accra Passenger Transport Executive (GAPTE) ensured that drivers of public transport vehicles that parked at dedicated lanes and parking spaces meant for the Aayalolo buses had their vehicles clamped and towed away.
Suspension
However, Numo Blafo III told the Daily Graphic yesterday that the enforcement exercise had been halted until further notice.
“The issue is that it is the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of the 12 assemblies within the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA) that constitute the board of the quality bus service system but as of now the board has not been reconstituted.
“So there is a directive that until such a time that the board is reconstituted, the AMA GAPTE and the AMA should focus their attention on the education of the drivers to keep off the dedicated lanes and parking spaces for the Aayalolo buses,” he said.
The situation
The GAPTE, through the AMA, is mandated to manage the provision of quality bus services along the Accra CMB-Amasaman corridor.
There has been unauthorised usage of the infrastructure and installations meant for the exclusive operations of the Aayalolo buses since the service started in December last year, a development that violates the traffic policy of the AMA.
The 24-hour Towing Service was contracted to tow all vehicles that wrongly park in the parking spaces meant for the Aayalolo buses.
Assurance
Numo Blafo said the suspension of the enforcement would not affect the operation of the buses.
“The AMA and GAPTE will continue to carry out public education programme concerning the identification of exclusive infrastructure and installations meant for the Aayalolo Bus Services by motorists and the general public and the rules of engagement pertaining to exclusive infrastructure and installations meant for the Aayalolo Bus Services.
“We will also step up public education on legal provisions under the Local Governance Act (Act 940) and the Legislative Instrument, 2009 (L.I.1961) that empowers the assembly to regulate, manage and enforce traffic regulations in accordance with the relevant laws,” Numo Blafo said.
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