Enhancing passenger safety and security in Ghana: Appraising public transport operators’ recent interventions

Abstract

There are increasing calls for regular monitoring and evaluation of safety and security strategies of public transport (PT) operators, especially in developing countries where PT safety and security concerns abound. In respect of this, this study examined the passenger safety and security interventions of PT operators in Ghana. Both the accident-incident theory and routine activities theory served as the theoretical framework within which the study was rooted. Guided by the convergent parallel mixed methods design, data were drawn from in-depth interviews with six major intercity PT operators as well as questionnaires administered to 273 intercity PT passengers. The field data were analysed using both thematic (qualitative data) and correlational (quantitative data) analyses in line with the study design. Varied perspectives on the state of PT passenger safety and security in the country were expressed, and operators’ interventions in this regard were appraised. The study emphasised the need for periodic review of the regulatory framework establishing public transport undertaking by the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to reflect changing safety and security circumstances.

Keywords: Public transport operators; passenger safety; security; interventions; Ghana