New Patriotic Party (NPP) Communication Team Member Grace Akosua Amoabeng has questioned the sustainability of the government’s decision to deploy motorcades to support the Ayalolo bus service, arguing that the move does not address the underlying challenges confronting the system.
Speaking to Isaac Addae on The Verdict on Starr FM, Grace Amoabeng said the government should focus on resolving the structural problems within the Ayalolo system instead of relying on what she described as a temporary intervention.
She argued that the use of motorcades cannot be sustained over time and questioned how long the government can continue with the arrangement.
“This is not sustainable. There are deep issues that need to be sorted out, the bus systems, the workers and all that. If you have not tackled any of this and then you bring motorcades to be in front of you, how many times can you do this?” she asked.
Grace Amoabeng said the government should first assess whether the initiative offers a long-term solution to the challenges facing public transport before committing resources to it.
“You have to get your advantages. When you do your research, you need to evaluate and see if this will work or this will not work,” she said.
She further questioned the timing of the initiative, particularly against the backdrop of rising fuel prices and concerns over transportation costs.
According to her, government should be looking at measures that can make public transport more efficient and affordable rather than introducing interventions that may only provide temporary relief.
Grace Amoabeng cited the introduction of electric buses under the previous government as an example of what she believes could offer a more sustainable approach to reducing the impact of fuel costs on public transportation.
“Because they are not using fuel, it reduces cost These are some of the initiatives that they could have taken on to make sure that we are running a good bus system, that you can even leave your car in the house and join Ayalolo,” she said.
She maintained that the focus should be on making the Ayalolo system reliable enough for commuters to willingly choose it over private vehicles.
“These are issues that need to be looked at and worked on, not just putting motorcades,” she added.
Grace Amoabeng also questioned whether the government would be able to maintain the motorcade arrangement in the long term, arguing that the intervention could lose its effectiveness once the current attention surrounding it fades.
“How many times do you think they’ll be able to do? Let’s be realistic. How many times do you think they’ll be able to keep up?” she questioned.
She therefore called for a broader assessment of the Ayalolo system, insisting that addressing its operational challenges would provide a more lasting solution than relying on motorcades.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Pamela Quayson
