Passengers stranded at Ho main station ahead of Christmas travel
Hundreds of passengers were left stranded at the Ho Main Station on Friday and extending into Saturday as they tried to travel to various destinations with just five days remaining until Christmas.
The unavailability of vehicles to transport them caused frustration and significant delays.
Travelers heading to destinations such as Accra, Ashaiman, Hohoe, Aflao, Dzodze, and other areas reported waiting for vehicles for over six to seven hours.
When the Ghana News Agency (GNA) visited the station at around 1700 hours many passengers lamented that they had been at the station since morning, hoping for transportation as the situation escalates into Saturday.
The situation created a ripple effect, contributing to heavy traffic around the station as both passengers and vehicles congested the area.
Some drivers admitted to loading passengers along the roads rather than at the station, citing the overwhelming number of travelers waiting for transportation.
One driver, popularly known as “Our Father,” who operates on the Ho-Dzodze route, explained that during this period, drivers often prioritize their regular customers, particularly market women, over other passengers.
He added, “We try to focus on our loyal customers, especially the market women, because they depend on us for their businesses.”
This year’s holiday travel rush appears to have intensified due to the increased demand for transportation, leaving many passengers frustrated as they attempt to reach their destinations before Christmas.
A stranded passenger shared with GNA, “I have been here since 0800 hours, and I still have not found a car to take me to Accra. It is stressful, especially with the holiday approaching.”
The shortage of vehicles has been attributed to a combination of high passenger turnout, limited availability of transport, and the prioritization of certain passenger groups. Some stranded travelers resorted to walking further down the roads in hopes of securing a vehicle.
Drivers have appealed to authorities to address the annual Christmas travel congestion by creating better systems to manage the influx of passengers and improve the overall travel experience, while fixing the roads
Passengers, however, are advised to plan their journeys earlier to avoid similar situations during peak travel periods.
Transport union leaders were not readily available for comments, but some loaders claim large numbers of the travelling public were solely responsible for the situation and what happens around Christmas and Easter festivities.
Source: GNA