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QBS (formerly BRT) disappoints passengers again

QBS (formerly BRT) disappoints passengers again

The promised resumption of the Quality Bus System (QBS), formerly the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), which was halted temporarily on Tuesday following the non-registration and no insurance cover on the buses, failed to materialise yesterday (Wednesday).

Commuters gathered at the various boarding points early in the morning anticipating the return of the buses for the continuation of the five days of free ride but no on the road.

After moments of waiting, frustrated patrons had to resort to their usual means of transport by either standing by the roadside or hurrying to the nearest lorry station to join mini- buses (trotro).

Patrons frustrated

Liz Baffour, a mobile insurance agent, who appeared clearly angered by the situation, almost screamed at this reporter, saying, “They can’t take us for a ride. You start a system, halt it and promise it would resume today only to make fools out of us.”

Another who identified himself as Kwesi Kay, a watch repairer who plies his trade in the Central Business District of Accra, said he had heard about the new bus system and had planned to patronise it last  Tuesday, only to hear that the service had been halted.

He said he had been hopeful that it would be restored following what he had heard in media reports only to be disappointed. He stated, “If they are not ready, they should not worry us.”

GAPTE becomes silent

When the Daily Graphic contacted the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Greater Accra Passenger Transport Executive (GAPTE), Mr Roland Bruce, to throw more light on the issue, he said the GAPTE was scheduled to come out with a press statement later to explain the situation.

Information available to the Daily Graphic indicates that 10 buses had been registered by the close of day last Tuesday, and an additional 28 buses were expected to be registered yesterday.

Name change

The change in name, according to officials of the Greater Accra Passenger Transport Executive (GAPTE), managers of the project, had been necessitated by the fact that there were no dedicated lanes for the buses.

Dedicated lanes form a crucial element of a BRT system.

However, all the bus stops that have been created on the Accra-Circle-Achimota-Amasaman road have “BRT lanes” boldly inscribed on them.

Non-registration of buses

The suspension of the service followed concerns regarding the non-registration of the vehicles with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) and the lack of insurance cover for the buses.

Another reason that led to the halting of the operation was the challenge with communication between passengers and the bus drivers.

Nine buses of the QBS last Monday started a pilot service from Amasaman through Achimota and the Kwame Nkrumah Circle to the Central Business District (CBD) in Accra.

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