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Motorists in the Greater Accra Region, especially those residing along the Amasaman corridor, will soon have some respite with the planned roll out of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) on the Accra-Amasaman route by the end of the year. The project, introduced by government with support from the World Bank and the French Development Agency (AFD), intends to enhance mobility of people by ensuring an efficient public transit system in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA). It is expected that the project will be expanded in Adenta, Kasoa and Tema to improve transportation in Accra. This was disclosed during the inauguration of the Greater Accra Passenger Transport Executive (GAPTE) Committee, which was tasked to oversee the implementation of the public mass transit system beginning with the Bus Rapid Transit services. The 14-member committee will be responsible for planning and regulation of passenger transportation in GAMA, network and service planning, infrastructure planning, service marketing and customer information management. Julius Debrah, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, in his inaugural address, said that the current means of transport creates congestion and heavy traffic build-up and leads to the loss of productive time. �This form of transport system is thus outmoded and the need to introduce a more rapid efficient and reliable form of transport in Accra cannot be overemphasized,� he stated. Establishment of GATPE The Local Government Act mandates the district assembly to be responsible for the development of the district with LI 1969 designating transportation as a key department of the district assembly. The 13 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies in the GAMA have established the Greater Accra Passenger Transport Executive (GAPTE) as a harmonized transport regulatory body in Accra. The creation of the body is to transform the transport sector in the region and fulfill government�s policy on implementing efficient, available and affordable public mass transit systems. Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije, Chairman of the committee, predicted the smooth and timely takeoff of the project. �We have formed three transport companies who are registered and we are also in the process of providing buses for these three companies to start work,� he said. Dr. Vanderpuije called on all to support the committee in its work in order to make the implementation of the Bus rapid transit successful. �It will happen not just in our minds, but in our lifetime,� Mr. Debrah indicated.