Transportation In Ghana | Transport Fare Rates In Ghana

Gone are the days when the sole means of transport is by foot or the use of animals. Modernization and advances in technology have made our world a better place. While it may look like other countries of the world are more advanced, Africa countries have a fair share of technological development. One sector that has been greatly influenced by Technology is transportation. In recent times, we see a myriad of exotic cars being churned out every year by automobile makers. All these cars have their unique purposes. Some are regular compact cars for a daily commute like the Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Accent, Honda Civic, etc; while others serve more advanced functions like military purposes or plainly business needs.

Transport In Ghana

In Ghana, there are diverse means of transportation. Popular ones include road, rail, air and water. Amongst these, road transport is mostly used by Ghanians. Increased preference in road transport has influenced the surge in private car owners in Ghana.

Cars As A Means Of Living

In Ghana, cars are not just used for private use, they also serve commercial purposes. There is a defining difference between cars meant for commercial purposes and that meant for private use. How do you tell the difference?

Why Do Cars Have Orange Panels In Ghana

In Ghana, commercial cars are popular called taxis. You will identify them by the peculiar orange panel or painting you see just above all the four tyres. Now the rest of the body of that car may have any other color depending on the driver’s discretion. The orange panel on these taxis lets you know the car is duly registered, and hence it’s safe for you to enter.  However, bear in mind that the days are evil, use your judgment if you feel suspicious and uncomfortable about the car and the driver.

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Taxi In Ghana

Most taxi drivers in Ghana are law-abiding and licensed. Taxis in Ghana are usually comfortable and spacious, however, an extra fee might be added if you want to enjoy the air conditioning.

Passing taxis that you flag on the street are referred to as “dropping” taxis, and they will take you directly to your destination. There are also dropping taxis that wait for passengers at various locations, but taking a parked dropping taxi is always more expensive than flagging a taxi that is driving by. Once you flag down a car, ensure to enquire for the transport fare to your destination before the driver zooms off. This is important to avoid unnecessary arguments between you and the taxi-driver.

In Ghana, a major factor that causes a hike in transport fare is traffic, not necessarily the distance. Areas like Kumasi and Accra tends to have traffic congestion especially during peak hours; so always ensure you have extra cash to pay for transport fare.

Transport Fare Rates In Ghana

The currency of Ghana is the cedi (pronounced “seedy”). The word cedi derives from the Akan word for the cowrie shell, which was widely used for currency long ago. The cedi is prefixed GHC, or by the ₵ symbol.

In Ghana, not all the taxis are metered. If it’s metered, that means your fee comes calculated from the meter machine. A quick advice, even if you are a foreigner or a tourist in Ghana, don’t look or dress like it, because a Ghanian taxi-driver automatically believes you are rich. You know the implications, right? Your transport fee will be unusually high.

Normally, Taxi fares start from GHS5 (US$0.86) for the shortest journeys, up to GHS25 (US$ 4.32) for a trip to the airport. If you travel within the city limits, the fare will be between GHS4 (US$0.69) and GHS9 (US$1.56). However, note that these prices are subject to change at any time for diverse reasons.

Buses In Ghana

Besides just cars, buses known as ‘Tro Tros’ are another popular means of commercial transport in Ghana. Buses can normally take more passengers of about 16-24 and cargo.

Taking a bus in Ghana is safe and comfortable. However, note that you have to pay an extra fee for luggage. Tickets cost between GHS15 (US$2.59) and GHS26 (US$4.49), depending on what type of bus you choose. There are several different bus companies such as Kingdom Transport Services, City Express, Metrobus and Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU). However, State Transport Company (STC) is the most comprehensive bus service.

Conclusion

Transportation in Ghana is relatively cheap compared to the other Africa States. If you want to go into the transport business, you can find the Ghana transport system a good place to start.