The Aayalolo bus service, once hailed as a breakthrough in Ghana’s urban transport system, has become the subject of heated public debates after a recent footage showed what appears to be its decline.
A video shared by Accra-based TV3 captured several of the buses parked and visibly deteriorating, with parts of their bodies rusting away.
These images struck a nerve in many Ghanaians who remember the buses as a solution to the country’s chronic transportation challenges.
Introduced in 2016, Aayalolo was designed to provide affordable, reliable, and modern bus services across key corridors in Accra. For a time, it helped reduce congestion and offered commuters an alternative to the often chaotic 'trotro' system.
Now, however, the sight of the grounded buses has fueled anger online.
Some social media users have expressed frustrations, sharing videos of passengers struggling to find vehicles and lamenting the exorbitant fares charged by commercial drivers.
Many argue that repairing and redeploying the Aayalolo fleet could significantly reduce the long queues at bus stations, particularly in the Greater Accra Region.
The Minister of Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, recently acknowledged the issue, noting that huge sums of money will be required to resume operations of the grounded buses.
He explained that while the service falls under the Ministry of Local Government, his ministry is collaborating with stakeholders to explore ways of bringing the buses back on the road.
Beyond the immediate frustrations, the debates touch on broader concerns about Ghana’s public transport system. Some analysts point out that reviving Aayalolo could be a catalyst for the government’s proposed 24-Hour Economy, creating jobs and improving mobility.
Others see the buses as a symbol of wasted investment, arguing that poor management and lack of maintenance have undermined what was once a promising initiative.
Read some comments below:
Aayalolo Buses Abandoned Again: Nine Years of Broken Promises and Commuter Suffering Under Successive Governments:
— Ghana Chronicles (@_GhChronicles) December 8, 2025
1.The Aayalolo Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system was launched in November 2016 under the John Mahama-led NDC government with an initial fleet of 245 Scania buses… pic.twitter.com/JamSyWudZp
Go through the dep. Minister @AfoDorcas’ tweets - sounds like a Kindergartener who’s seeking validation that she belongs in the class.. NO INFORMATION ON POLICIES SHE IS HELPING THE SECTOR MIN. TO IMPLEMENT TO IMPROVE TRANSPORTATION AND A SAFE ONE AT THAT in Ghana. 🤦🏿♂️
— OuézzinCoulibaly (@OuezzinCouli) December 8, 2025
My questions is how many of our government agencies deliver value for money? Just asking for a friend.
— RK_A (@ahwireng_rk) December 9, 2025
Because I see people appointed to positions at the beginning of new administrations and nothing happens until that admin leaves power and another group is appointed.
They own the trotros n taxis. They own fleet companies. Their party financiers are the owners of transport services in the country. Who cares of the plight of the ordinary Ghanaian?
— StopGalamseyNow (@paaakwesi_) December 9, 2025
NPP n NDC are babies from the same mother but different father. If we don’t rise nothing changes
What kind of a country and leaders so we have?. So sad that commuters are going through heel and mass transit buses are left to root. What is this???@JDMahama pls so something about this through you transport minister.
— Dominic Ankrah (@OheneDom) December 9, 2025
Thank you
It's a pity.... The Transport ministry seems inactive and dead........ How prez Mahama is allowing that ministry to be inactive is a worry.
— Jah liveth (@kinz_jah) December 8, 2025
State Transport after President Kuffour’s reign till now has always faced this problem!!!!!!
— Am calledAFRIYIE⚖️🩺🇬🇭 (@MedicoAfriyie) December 10, 2025
Was Ayalolo working 4 free???.......
— Flame🔥 (@onyameahuwo) December 8, 2025
Commuters battling for trotro but we have Aayalolo left to rot… we have Transport ministers doing absolutely nothing pic.twitter.com/xNq5UG0xT7
— Ghana Chronicles (@_GhChronicles) December 8, 2025
Hundreds of Aayalolo buses have been left to decay while the Ministry of Transport looks on. With the fleet abandoned, trotro drivers are charging steep fares and commuters have no alternative. Many are now asking: why isn’t the Transport Minister taking action? https://t.co/fkgjd0jTFJ pic.twitter.com/GoJndyAgpY
— Ghana Chronicles (@_GhChronicles) December 9, 2025
VKB/AE
Also, watch below Amnesty International's 'Protect the Protest' documentary as the world marks International Human Rights Day 2025
