Towards sustainable cities: implementing mass rapid transit in the Greater Accra Metropolitan area

Abstract

Many cities face a myriad of accessibility challenges that could be linked to unsustainable mobility systems (UN-Habitat, 2013a). The Government of Ghana has been saddled with the challenge of solving urban mobility problems (Ministry of Transport, 2016). One cardinal area of interest in the urban transport policy reforms has been the introduction of Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system. The study explored factors that would make the introduction of MRT systems work in Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA) and other urban areas in Ghana. It identified the infrastructure and institutional arrangements for MRT implementation in Accra, factors that would motivate small private motor vehicle owners to park and use Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and the perception of users of the piloted Commuter Rail Transit (CRT) of its performance. Following a pragmatic approach, it dwelt on both the positivists and interpretivists’ research approach. The study identified that small private motor vehicle users would be motivated to use BRT if buses are punctual and frequent, comfortable and neat, and safe while riding. The CRT also received good commendation from users for avoiding traffic, reducing travelling time, charging affordable fares and leaving on time. Challenges that with respect to the implementation of the two modes of MRT included the poor infrastructure base of the CRT and lack of the political will to implement a full-scale BRT in Accra. The study recommended among others, the development of Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) routes to ensure the integration of different transportation modes and infrastructure, proper stakeholder consultation in the designing of BRT systems and the implementation of a full-scale BRT in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area.