The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has banned the operation of tricycles for commercial activities within the Central Business District (CBD).
Their operations have thus been confined to areas outside a marked zone in the metropolis, effective July 24, 2023.
The restriction forms part of measures by the KMA to re-organise provision of transport services in the city, in response to the growing illegal activities that has taken over transport services and thus causing congestion in the city.
The decision follows a resolution of the General Assembly resolving at its meeting on April 29, 2023 to take steps to restrict the activities of tricycles (Pragia/Aboboyaa/Adedeta) within the CBD to check the growing menace posed by their operations.
According to Mr. Randy Wilson, the Head of Transport Department of KMA, the decision is to arrest the alarming rate of clashes involving tricycles.
He said the Transport Department and the Transport Sub-Committee have interacted with major stakeholders, including security agencies and all tricycle operators regarding the restricted areas and punitive measures outlined for defaulters to ensure easy implementation of the measures.
Mr. Wilson also announced major measures for On-Street Stations which have increased, contrary to initial decision to operate in the city.
He noted that most of the stations have increased the number of slots allocated to them, whilst others have introduced additional routes into their operations, as well as illegal stations causing congestion.
The Head of Transport Department also mentioned Day-Time Cargo loading challenges as Cargo vehicles operate throughout the day and park anywhere, creating congestion contrary to KMA bye-laws, which do not permit off-loading of goods in the CBD between the hours of 9:00am and 5:00pm.
As a result, the transport department has adopted re-packaging and Enforcement of day-time Cargo loading policy for On-Street Stations to revamp their operations.
He said illegal stations would be abolished or restricted since they do not have any permits to operate as such locations.
He said All Transport Unions and Stations operating in the city would be made to produce their Transport Operating Permits for inspection and those operating at approved locations should be made to renew them appropriately or caused to cease operation until they have done so.
Mr. Wilson mentioned some of the illegal loading points and stations in the Central Business District as Pampaso-Top (Opposite Police Quarters), Obuasi/Bekwai/Sunyani; Pampaso Down (Old Filling Station) for Long Distance trips, including Bibiani Dunkwa-On-Offin; Tarkwa/Goaso/Techiman/Accra/Ho/Hohoe Sunyani/Berekum/Dormaa/Koforidua, New Edubiase and others illegal stations, Central market, Sandra Hotel Road, MOGPA Y-FM, Kufuor Clinic, KAMA/MIKADO building, Behind Bantama Ahenfie, Bonsam Gyam, KATH roundabout, Behind Ideal College at Bantama, Adehyie Market and All Filling Stations Around Suame Roundabout.
