Tro Tros in Ghana

Tro tros are government licensed but privately owned vans or buses used by school children, office workers and ladies heading to the market to get to their various destinations.It is estimated that 70% of Ghanaians use tro tros on a daily basis.  It is based on the concept of a shared taxi.

There are 2 main ways to catch a tro tro depending on your destination.  One would go to a tro tro station if they would like to get from 1 city to another.  In this case, the tro tro driver will wait till his tro tro is filled with passengers and goods before departing.

 Tro tro station at Kaneshie market.

 

Trotros entering the station to pick up passengers.

 

Waiting for the tro tro to fill up with passengers before leaving the station.

 



The other way to catch a tro tro is anywhere along a route either within the city or between cities.  It is typically operated by a tro tro driver and a conductor who collects the fare and shouts out their destination to potential passengers.

Trolling for passengers

The word Tro is the Ga (local Ghanaian language spoken mainly around Accra) word for 3 pence which was the currency used before Ghana's independence.  This was what it cost then for a single ride. Over the years, prices have increased.  On average, fares are about 7 Ghc (US1.50) per kilometer while within the city, it could cost between 20 to 50 Pesewas (instead of pence) per kilometer.
                  

One of my favourite shots... love the livestock on the roof  : )

 

There's a kitchen sink somewhere in there!

 Intercity tro tros are packed to the max with various purchases

 

 

Packed like sardines