TYPES OF PUBLIC VEHICLES IN GHANA

Before the invention of cars people use to walk to various destinations. Walking was the only form of transportation but a few individuals had the opportunity to use animals such as donkeys. The introduction of vehicles and the development of various forms of transportation eased a lot of burden in the development of human activities. As part of the usage of vehicles in transporting humans and goods was the commercialization of vehicles to benefit those who could not afford to have their own private vehicles. Commercial or public vehicles are used by most individuals.

In Ghana, virtually half of the population board public vehicles in their day to day activities. The various options of public vehicles in Ghana are the ‘tro tro’ , the taxis  which are normally for short distances and  also the availability of  buses for long distance journeys.They each have unique structures, way of operating, capacities, as well as interesting experiences when you board them.

Tro tro as its locally called is a crowded, but efficient and inexpensive, minibus used for short distance travel.  The name evolved from the Ga language word "TRO" meaning three pence, that is, the penny coins that were in use in the colonial days of the Gold Coast, now Ghana. Those vehicles charged each passenger three pence per trip; hence it was dubbed "Tro- tro". Though the penny is no longer used, and the fare has been inflated in multiples, the old name still stands, obviously as a reminder of the transport service that operated in those good old days when life was simple and easy - going. It holds 16-24 people, crammed as tightly as possible and travels every bit of road in Ghana, making them a valuable link in the transportation system for smaller town and villages as well as the conveying of goods from one destination to the other. It has a driver who controls the bus and assisted by a conductor; locally referred to as ‘mate’ who is in charge of collecting the fares. Today, tro tro is also in long distance travel as well.

Taxis are small or saloon cars that are sprayed with two or more colours and often with orange corners. Contrary to the tro tro, it carries not more than five people including the driver and does not require the services of a conductor. It is also used for short distances and possibly long distances. One might want to board the taxi alone without other passengers(dropping as called) and this is more expensive than sharing with other passengers. It is seen as more comfortable than the tro tro since passengers are not crammed tightly.

There is also the availability of buses that travel very long distances especially from one regional capital to the other. Locally, there is the metro mass, VIP and currently the Utong buses. Generally these buses provide the best balance of safety, expense, speed and comfort, especially when traveling across the nation. Many have air conditioning and video. They carry more passengers than the tro tro and the taxis. The passengers could be 40-70 people. They use the ticketing form where one is issued a ticket upon paying the fare and often requires booking of tickets in advance

There is therefore variety for the individual depending on his or her destination, schedule, preference and probably financial status. Thus one can still travel within the corridors of Ghana even without owning his or her own private vehicle. They are also helping in the enhancement of economic activities in the nation.

A TROTRO WITH SOME PASSENGERS

PASSENGERS ON BOARDING A TRO TRO

NATURE OF A TAXI

A UTONG BUS