GAPTE has repaired and returned 48 previously grounded Aayalolo buses to service, increasing the number of operational buses serving commuters across the Greater Accra Region to 128.
The Greater Accra Passenger Transport Executive (GAPTE) disclosed the figure as the government steps up efforts to improve the Aayalolo bus system and provide a more reliable public transport option for commuters in Accra.
GAPTE Managing Director Awudu Dawuda announced the development during Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Minister Mahama Ayariga’s visit to the Aayalolo terminal at Madina on September 8, 2026.
Dawuda said GAPTE inherited 80 operational buses and made the repair of additional vehicles a priority.
He explained that 48 buses were subsequently repaired and added to the existing fleet, bringing the number of buses currently operating on Aayalolo routes to 128.
The increase comes as the government considers wider measures to improve the efficiency of the service and ease traffic congestion in Greater Accra.
Ayariga’s visit covered Aayalolo facilities at Madina, Achimota and Kinbu, where he assessed the condition of the buses and discussed operational challenges with management and staff.
The minister has also proposed the introduction of temporary dedicated lanes for Aayalolo buses during peak hours. Under the proposal, buses could use a lane on the less congested side of selected roads between 6am and 9am, depending on traffic direction. Motorbike escorts have also been suggested to help buses move through heavy traffic.
The proposal is aimed at making the service faster and more dependable, which could encourage more commuters to use public transport instead of private vehicles.
The revival effort comes after years of operational challenges that have affected the Aayalolo system. The service has faced problems including maintenance difficulties, traffic congestion and the lack of effective dedicated lanes.
GAPTE’s latest figures suggest that restoring grounded buses is now part of a broader attempt to rebuild the service. However, the increase to 128 operational buses does not by itself resolve the wider challenges facing the system.
For commuters, the key issue will be whether the additional buses can translate into shorter waiting times, more reliable schedules and faster journeys across Accra.
