Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia has expressed confidence in the “Tap and Go” transport initiative’s ability to combat corruption in Ghana’s state intercity and intracity transport systems.
Similar to the widely-used Oyster Card in the United Kingdom, the “Tap and Go” system involves a digital card preloaded with cash. Passengers can conveniently pay for their fare by tapping the card on a fixed machine/reader aboard the bus.
The Ghanaian version of the “Tap and Go” card includes additional features, such as physical and virtual versions, to enhance user convenience. Users can download the Tap and Go app on their mobile phones and opt for the virtual card option, allowing them to make payments directly through their phone without needing a physical card.
Speaking at the official launch of the initiative in Accra on Monday, February 19, Vice-President Bawumia highlighted that the implementation of this system will significantly improve transparency within the transport sector.
“It is important to note that, before the Tap and Go system was implemented by Metro Mass Transit, the audit report showed that the company was losing 50% of its revenue annually.
“But since it was implemented by the company, that leakage has been plugged and the revenue that it is making from 200 buses is more than when it was operating 500 buses,” Dr Bawumia said.
“With the Tap and Go system, the problem of vehicle owners worrying about the accurate daily takings and whereabouts of their cars at any given time will be a thing of the past.”
“The problem with the diversion of funds within state-owned intercity and intracity buses will also be a thing of the past, as it will help check corruption by promoting transparency,” he added.