In Ghana, the promise of the trotro, the ubiquitous form of public transportation, has long been a staple of everyday life for many commuters. Affordable, albeit sometimes crowded and unpredictable, trotros have been the go-to choice for navigating the bustling streets of cities like Accra. However, recent developments in the transportation landscape are challenging the once-unquestioned dominance of these colorful minivans.
The familiar sight of trotros jostling for space on the roads has now been accompanied by a less welcome sight: steep hikes in fares. Despite warnings from the government and directives from the Ministry of Transport to refrain from increasing fares, drivers have taken matters into their own hands. Public transport fares have soared by at least 20 percent across various parts of the country, leaving commuters feeling the pinch.
The Ministry of Transport’s directive, issued on April 14, 2024, sought to maintain stability in fare pricing while negotiations with road transport operators were underway. The goal was clear: to shield commuters from the effects of rising fuel prices and operational costs. However, it seems that this directive has fallen on deaf ears, as drivers have unilaterally implemented fare increases outside the official agreement with the government.
For commuters in Accra, these fare hikes have hit particularly hard. The Kaneshie trotro station, once a bustling hub of activity, now sees commuters shelling out significantly more for their journeys. Routes to Madina, Adenta, and beyond now come with a hefty price tag, with fares increasing by as much as 60 percent. Similarly, routes from the Kaneshie station to Odorkor, Dzorwulu, and Kasoa have seen substantial hikes, further burdening the pockets of everyday Ghanaians.
In the face of these rising costs, many commuters like me are beginning to question the rationale behind sticking with trotros. What was once seen as the most economical option for getting around now seems less appealing when weighed against the convenience and transparency offered by ride-hailing apps like Uber, Bolt, and Yango. With these platforms, commuters can enjoy upfront pricing, ease of booking, and the comfort of knowing exactly how much they’ll be paying for their journey.
In one instance, a commuter’s experience highlights the growing appeal of ride-hailing apps compared to Trotro. They recount how a trip from Sowutuom to the DVLA office at SCC in Kasoa, a trip they normally wouldn’t expect to cost more than GHS30, ended up costing a staggering GHS70. This was nearly half the price of what it would have cost if they had opted for a ride-hailing service like Bolt. Such instances underscore the increasingly uncompetitive nature of trotro fares in comparison to ride-hailing alternatives.
The rise of ride-hailing apps in Ghana reflects a broader trend of technological disruption in the transportation sector. As smartphones become increasingly ubiquitous and digital payment systems more widespread, the appeal of traditional modes of transportation is waning. Commuters are no longer willing to tolerate the uncertainty and inconvenience of trotros when alternatives offer a more reliable and user-friendly experience.
Of course, the transition away from trotros won’t happen overnight. Trotros have been ingrained in Ghana’s transportation culture for decades; for many, they remain the default choice for getting around. However, as fare hikes continue to erode the affordability of trotros, more and more commuters are likely to explore alternative options.
Ultimately, the trotro promise of affordable and accessible transportation is losing its luster. While it once represented the backbone of Ghana’s public transportation system, it’s now beginning an inevitable journey of struggling to compete in a rapidly changing landscape.
