Public transportation differs from place to place. The US, UK and Europe have railway lines, scheduled busses, taxis and biking routes, among others. Coming from abroad to Ghana could give you a culture shock if you’re unaware of what to expect.
In this article we will give you an overview of how to use the cheapest local transportation, the trotros in Ghana.
Public Transportation
We mostly use “trotros” and taxis in Ghana, but in this post, we’ll be focusing on the former. Trotros are privately owned minibus-style vehicles that are used across Ghana to transport most of the country’s population.
A lot of them are dingy, not roadworthy, and tend to get cram-full of passengers.
Today we’ll be talking about how to pick trotros in ghana and have a decent experience using them if you prioritize saving money and making the most of what is available.
Departure & Arrival
It is important to have a fair idea of where you are going. The bustling city of Accra alone has many stops. Before travel, consider the location you’re going to, estimate the time you would arrive with or without traffic, and how easily you would return.
The Ghanaian economy typically sleeps by 11:30 pm thereabout. And trotro drivers and stations have unspoken closing times. This knowledge can help with planning trips so you don’t get stranded.
If you are new to using trotros in Ghana, you are probably better off going with a friend who can be your human GPS and do most of the bargaining for you.
Payment in Trotros
There are set rates for travel fare, standardized by the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU). This helps passengers know how much it can cost to get from one point to another.
For the love of God, please have coins and small notes on hand. Especially if you’re noticeably not Ghanaian. The trotro “mate” (a more casual term than the conductor, referring to the man or woman on board who collects your fare) may try to slightly inflate prices.
Having coins saves you from the incidence of being cheated and not getting adequate change. The phrase, “Me sika n’a short – My money is not enough” has saved countless wallets.
Safety
Wear trainers. I’m not kidding. Or at least footwear you can comfortably move in. At bus stops, some trotros slow down when they have to drive back onto the main road after picking passengers.
Some bus stops, like those at Circle, have the police enforce sanctions and restrictions. Trotro drivers tend to avoid that by picking a few people and driving off, without the police extorting or physically attacking them.
This is why you need comfortable shoes. When taking TroTros in Ghana, make like Toby McGuire’s Spiderman and chase that bus.
Another thing to be mindful of, aside from herbalist salesmen and intrusive trotro preachers (big culture shock so get ready for that one), is pickpockets. Yes, I thought they were so 2008, but they are very much 2021 too.
Keep an eye on your bags and make sure they’re zipped. And if your pockets are deep, make sure what you put in them can’t easily fall out.
(Read more about Safety in Ghana here.)
So TroTros in Ghana - a yes?
That’s about it for our tips today. Public transportation has made the lives of Ghanaians easier and is an essential part of our workforce, helping the young and old alike reach their various destinations with as much or little backache as possible.
If you don’t mind congested vehicles, heat and a mix of personalities then, by all means, hop in. Quite the adventure. If you’d rather not, then maybe we might talk some more about using Uber or Bolt during your stay.
Thanks for reading and be sure to share some of your experiences to help a fellow traveler or two.
Cheers!
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