Passengers were left stranded at the Aayalolo bus terminal in Tudu, Accra, after drivers abruptly laid down their tools, disrupting services and forcing commuters to seek alternative means of transport.
A passenger told Journalist that they were only informed upon arriving at the terminal that the drivers had stopped work, leaving them with no option but to find alternative means of reaching their destinations.
“I board vehicles here every day. I was coming from Tudu, where I gave my load to the head porter to take to the station, only to arrive and realise that they were no longer operating. All I can say is that if they intend to shut it down, they should do so quickly.”
The disruption is believed to be linked to unpaid bonuses owed to drivers for transporting members of a church during a recent mega event.
However, the drivers’ association’s Public Relations Officer, Justice Kweku Sako, declined to disclose the specific reasons for the industrial action.
Checks and conversations with some of the affected drivers, however, suggest that the unpaid bonuses remain a major concern.
Following a meeting between the drivers’ leadership and management, assurances were given that the outstanding bonuses would be paid by next week.
The assurance has prompted the drivers to suspend their sit-down strike, allowing Aayalolo buses to resume operations.
Services at the Tudu terminal are gradually returning to normal, although the earlier disruption left several commuters frustrated.
Some passengers, particularly those who had travelled from distant locations with goods, were left stranded after expecting to use the buses for their onward journeys.