The minister for Transportation, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, has broken the ground for work to commence on the construction of a $3.5 million ultra-modern bus terminal at the old Kinbu terminal in Accra.

The project, which is expected to be completed in one year, is part of the ministry’s initiatives to upgrade bus terminals across the country to improve transportation.

The four-acre land, which is a property of the Public Works Department (PWD), was acquired by the transport ministry last year for the project.

When completed, the project, which is the second of its kind, would have a parking space of 80 intercity and intra-city buses, 30 Metro Mass buses and 50 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses.

Apart from transportation services, the terminal will also have business centres, including banks, restaurants, shops and offices, which could be accessed by all passengers and the general public.

Speaking at the sod cutting ceremony in Accra yesterday, Mr Kwaku Ofori Asiamah noted that when completed, the project would cut down the heavy congestion in the transport environment in Accra, particularly during peak hours.

Mr. Asiamah indicated, “Commuters on daily basis have to endure long waiting periods at the various terminals just to travel through congested central business areas of the cities. We spend more time in traffic than we do with our families and this does not inure to our benefit.”

He therefore, hinted that the project is intended to provide adequate and central terminating and loading space for buses which now enjoy very significant patronage.

Mr. Asiamah also reiterated government’s plan to work with all stakeholders to address the operational challenges that are hampering the efficient operation of the Ayalolo Bus System.

He added that the project supports government’s policy to develop ultra-modern commercial facilities in order to provide the quality of services passengers require.

“The completion of this terminal will therefore improve transport services and the full operation of the Adenta to Accra BRT Corridor. This terminal will also serve as a major transfer hub for intercity and intra-city transport services,” Mr. Asiamah envisaged.

He therefore, called for prudent management of the facility as allowing it to deteriorate would result in enormous drain on national resources.

The Greater Accra Minister, Ishmael Ashitey, stressed the need for the project to be given all the needed attention as it will go a long way to improve road transportation in the Greater Accra Region and beyond.