Gov’t Announces Digitalisation In Transport Sector

The Akufo-Addo-led government has announced the introduction of a digital system for commercial taxis.

According to Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, a ride-hailing application will soon be launched for commercial taxi drivers in the country with which passengers will be able to order their services and compete with ride-hailing companies.

The idea, he said, came about after some taxi drivers petitioned him in his office about the negative implication of ride-hailing companies on their job a year ago.

Speaking at the annual General Council Meeting of the Church of Pentecost on Wednesday, May 3, he said the app will be rolled out to commercial taxi drivers in a few months.

“I’m happy to say that that work has now been completed. And in the next couple of months, we will be able to place our taxis at least in Greater Accra to start with, all on an Uber-like platform. And you’ll be able to call them just like you call Ubers to your homes and all of that.”

It doesn’t end there. Other transport services will also have a taste of the government’s digitalisation drive.

“Trotros, VIP buses, Ayalolo, Metro Mass {will come later on}. The whole public sector is going to go and private sector transport is going to go on what we call a tap-and-go system.

“When you go to England, they have the Oyster card that you travel with. Ghana is also going to have an Oyster card before the end of this year.”

According to him, such are the initiatives politicians must champion.