Rethinking or Affirming the "Affordability" Debate on the Efficiency of Urban Public Transport Usage: Case of Kumasi, Ghana

This paper sought to contribute towards rethinking or affirming the affordability debate on the efficiency of intra-city public transport discourse in Africa. Using the case study approach, primary data was obtained from 400 passengers and nine officials of relevant institutions responsible for managing and regularising the informal public transport service in the city to assess the efficiency of intra city public transport in Kumasi based on nine indicators. Findings of the paper showed that the availability of public transport service largely influenced its patronage, contrary to the 'popular' assertion of affordability as the major determining factor. A multiple-linear regression analysis showed a statistically significant and positive relationship between the predictor (efficiency indicators) and dependent (use of public transport service) variables. Nonetheless, there exist inefficiencies in comfortability, vehicular conditions, affordability and travel duration. The transport institutions were unable to fully improve upon efficiency of services due to weak implementation of regulations, poor coordination among transportation agencies and inadequate transport infrastructure. This paper calls for conscious efforts to evaluate the service from its planning, to delivery and management as well as incorporate efficient and good quality indicators in the regularisation and operation of transport services.