24-hour economy in the transportation sector: Unlocking the full potential of continuous operations

By Korsi DZOKOTO

The concept of a 24-hour economy in the transportation sector is an ambitious yet essential strategy to drive economic growth, enhance connectivity, and improve the overall quality of life. By ensuring seamless mobility and continuous operations across all transportation modes, this approach has the potential to transform industries, create jobs, and boost productivity.

1. Objectives

Ensure Seamless Mobility: The primary objective of a 24-hour transportation economy is to facilitate round-the-clock services for both passengers and goods. This ensures that people and products can move efficiently, regardless of the time of day.

Enhance Connectivity: A 24-hour transportation system will strengthen the connections between key sectors such as health, agriculture, industry, and services. This enhanced connectivity is crucial for a thriving economy.

Boost Economic Activity: Continuous transportation operations allow businesses to operate without time constraints, leading to increased productivity and economic activity.

Job Creation: Expanding transportation services to operate 24 hours a day will create numerous employment opportunities across various segments of the sector, from drivers and operators to logistics coordinators and infrastructure developers.

Improve Safety: With proper infrastructure, technology, and regulations in place, a 24-hour transportation economy can ensure safe and reliable services, reducing the risk of accidents and enhancing public trust.

Key Components

Public Transportation

24-Hour Bus Services: Implementing round-the-clock bus services in major cities and towns will provide continuous mobility for workers, students, and the general public, reducing the reliance on private vehicles and lowering traffic congestion.

Night Train Services: Introducing night train services connecting key economic zones and cities will provide an efficient and eco-friendly transportation option for long-distance travel during off-peak hours.

Metro and Tram Systems: Expanding metro and tram systems to operate 24 hours in urban areas will facilitate continuous urban mobility, making it easier for people to travel at any time of day or night.

Logistics and Freight

24-Hour Freight Services: Continuous freight services are essential to support industries such as agriculture, retail, and manufacturing. These services ensure that raw materials and finished products are transported efficiently, minimizing delays and supporting just-in-time production systems.

Logistics Hubs: Developing and enhancing logistics hubs to operate 24/7 will streamline the transfer of goods, reducing bottlenecks and ensuring that supply chains remain uninterrupted.

Port Operations: Ensuring that major ports operate around the clock is critical for facilitating international trade. This will allow for the smooth flow of imports and exports, supporting economic growth and competitiveness.

Infrastructure Development

Road Infrastructure: Upgrading and maintaining roads to support heavy nighttime traffic is vital for ensuring safety and efficiency. This includes the construction of bypasses, overpasses, and well-maintained highways.

Traffic Management Systems: Implementing advanced traffic management systems will help monitor and control traffic flow, reducing congestion and enhancing safety, especially during peak and off-peak hours.

Lighting and Safety: Proper lighting and safety measures on major highways and city roads are essential to ensure safe travel during nighttime operations, reducing the risk of accidents and improving overall public confidence in 24-hour transportation.

Intermodal Connectivity

Integration with Other Modes: Seamless integration between road, rail, air, and sea transport systems is crucial for efficient intermodal transfers, reducing delays, and enhancing the overall efficiency of the transportation network.

Transport Hubs: Developing transport hubs that connect various modes of transportation will facilitate easy and efficient transfers, making it easier for passengers and goods to move between different types of transport.

Implementation Plan

Infrastructure and Technology

Smart Transport Systems: Implementing smart transportation systems for real-time tracking, management, and safety is crucial for managing 24-hour operations efficiently. These systems can provide valuable data for optimizing routes, schedules, and resource allocation.

Sustainable Practices: Adopting sustainable practices such as electric buses and energy-efficient vehicles will reduce the environmental impact of continuous operations, contributing to a greener economy.

Maintenance Programs: Regular maintenance schedules are essential to keep all transportation infrastructure operational and safe, preventing breakdowns and ensuring the reliability of services.

Capacity Building

Training Programs: Comprehensive training for drivers, conductors, and logistics staff on 24-hour operations and safety protocols is essential for maintaining high service standards and ensuring the safety of passengers and goods.

Management Training: Equipping transportation management teams with the skills to oversee 24-hour operations efficiently is key to ensuring that services run smoothly and meet demand.

1. Policy and Regulatory Framework

Supportive Policies: Policies that support 24-hour transportation operations are crucial for the success of this initiative. These policies should provide the necessary regulatory support to ensure compliance and safety.

Incentives: Offering incentives such as tax breaks, subsidies, and grants to companies that adopt 24-hour transportation services will encourage the expansion of these services, benefiting the economy and society as a whole.

Labor Regulations: Adapting labour laws to support shift work and ensure the welfare of transportation workers is essential for maintaining a motivated and productive workforce in a 24-hour economy.

Stakeholder Engagement

Public-Private Partnerships: Collaboration between the government, private sector, and development partners is crucial for infrastructure development and service provision. Public-private partnerships can help leverage resources and expertise to achieve the objectives of a 24-hour transportation economy.

Community Involvement: Engaging local communities in the planning and implementation of 24-hour transportation services is essential to address their needs and concerns, ensuring that the services provided are relevant and beneficial.

Industry Associations: Collaborating with transport and logistics associations to promote best practices and advocate for supportive policies is key to the success of a 24-hour transportation economy. These associations can also play a role in capacity building and policy development.

Linking to Relevant Sectors

Health Sector

Emergency Services: Ensuring the 24-hour availability of transportation for emergency medical services is crucial for saving lives. Ambulances and other emergency vehicles must have uninterrupted access to transport patients and medical personnel.

Healthcare Access: Round-the-clock transport services are essential for healthcare workers and patients, ensuring they can travel to and from medical facilities at any time, regardless of their location.

Agriculture, Agro-Processing, and Agribusiness

Supply Chain Efficiency: Continuous transport services will enable the timely delivery of agricultural products to processing facilities and markets, reducing spoilage and post-harvest losses.

Reducing Post-Harvest Losses: By ensuring that agricultural products are transported promptly and efficiently, 24-hour transportation can significantly reduce post-harvest losses, benefiting farmers and consumers alike.

Market Access: Reliable 24-hour transport services will enhance access to markets for farmers and agribusinesses, ensuring that their products reach consumers in good condition and on time.

Industry and Manufacturing

Raw Material Supply: Uninterrupted transportation services are essential for the continuous supply of raw materials to manufacturing facilities, ensuring that production schedules are not disrupted.

Finished Goods Distribution: Continuous distribution of finished goods is crucial for meeting consumer demand and supporting retail operations. 24-hour transportation services will enable manufacturers to get their products to market faster and more efficiently.

Export Facilitation: Round-the-clock operations at ports and logistics hubs are essential for enhancing export activities, ensuring that goods reach international markets promptly and reliably.

Services Sector

Tourism: Providing 24-hour transportation services to major tourist attractions and hotels will enhance the tourism experience, making it easier for tourists to explore destinations at their convenience.

Retail and Hospitality: The retail and hospitality sectors will benefit from 24-hour logistics and transport services, enabling them to meet consumer demand and operate more efficiently.

Inducing Demand for 24-Hour Transportation Services

Public Awareness and Education

Campaigns: Launching public awareness campaigns to inform citizens about the benefits and availability of 24-hour transportation services is essential for building demand and encouraging usage.

Community Engagement: Engaging communities to understand their transportation needs and tailor services accordingly will help ensure that 24-hour services are relevant and meet the needs of the population.

Collaboration with Employers

Shift Workers: Working with employers to ensure that transportation

services meet the needs of shift workers is crucial for the success of a 24-hour transportation economy. Employers in industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, and retail can benefit from reliable transportation options that allow their employees to commute at any time of day or night.

Incentives: Providing incentives for companies that encourage their employees to use public transportation during 24-hour operations can help increase ridership and reduce congestion on the roads. These incentives could include subsidized transit passes or corporate partnerships with transportation providers.

Service Quality Enhancement

Reliability: Ensuring that transportation services are reliable and punctual is key to building trust and encouraging regular use among passengers and businesses. Reliable services are especially important for industries that depend on just-in-time delivery and shift workers who must arrive at their jobs on time.

Safety and Comfort: Prioritizing safety and comfort in transportation services will attract more users. This includes well-lit stations, secure transit options, and comfortable seating, all of which contribute to a positive travel experience and encourage repeat use.

Leveraging AfCFTA for Export

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents significant opportunities for the transportation sector in Ghana. By leveraging AfCFTA, Ghana can enhance its transportation infrastructure and services to become a key player in intra-African trade.

Export Readiness Programs

Capacity Building: Providing training and support to transportation companies to enhance their export logistics capabilities is essential for meeting the demands of cross-border trade. This includes training on customs procedures, international shipping standards, and efficient logistics management.

Standards Compliance: Assisting transport and logistics providers in meeting international standards and certifications required for export will ensure that Ghanaian products can compete in global markets. Compliance with these standards is critical for gaining access to new markets and building a reputation for reliability.

Trade Facilitation

Simplified Procedures: Simplifying export procedures and reducing bureaucratic hurdles will facilitate smoother cross-border transportation, making it easier for businesses to export their products to other African countries. This could involve streamlining customs processes, reducing paperwork, and improving coordination between government agencies.

Trade Agreements: Leveraging AfCFTA agreements to negotiate favourable terms and reduce tariffs on transportation services will make it more cost-effective for Ghanaian companies to engage in cross-border trade. These agreements can also help establish Ghana as a transportation hub for the region.

Market Intelligence

Market Research: Conducting market research to identify demand for Ghanaian products in other African countries is essential for strategic planning. Understanding the needs and preferences of consumers in different markets will allow transportation companies to tailor their services accordingly.

Export Promotion: Participating in trade fairs, expos, and trade missions to promote Ghanaian products and transportation services in African markets will help build relationships with potential buyers and partners. These events provide a platform for showcasing Ghana’s capabilities and exploring new business opportunities.

Financial Support

Export Financing: Providing financial support and incentives for transportation companies to scale up their export logistics operations is essential for enabling growth. This could include access to low-interest loans, grants, and subsidies for expanding fleets and improving infrastructure.

Risk Mitigation: Offering insurance and risk mitigation services to transport companies will protect against potential losses in cross-border trade. This is particularly important for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that may be more vulnerable to disruptions in the supply chain.

Estimated Jobs Created Transportation Sector from 24-Hour Operations

The establishment of a 24-hour economy in the transportation sector will create numerous job opportunities, contributing to economic growth and development.

Estimated Jobs Created from 24-Hour Operations

• Transport Workers: Bus drivers, train operators, and airline staff will be needed to operate the 24-hour transportation services.
• Support and Maintenance: Mechanics, traffic controllers, and security personnel will be required to ensure the smooth operation of transportation systems.
• Logistics and Coordination: Fleet managers, route planners, and dispatchers will play a critical role in managing and coordinating 24-hour transportation services.

Estimated Jobs Created from Export under AfCFTA

• Export Logistics: Freight forwarders, customs brokers, and cargo handlers will be essential in facilitating cross-border trade under AfCFTA.
• Warehousing and Storage: Warehouse managers, inventory controllers, and packing staff will be needed to manage the storage and distribution of goods for export.
• Trade Promotion: Sales representatives, marketing professionals, and trade consultants will be required to promote Ghanaian products and services in African markets.

Conclusion

The implementation of a 24-hour transportation system in Ghana presents a significant opportunity to drive economic growth, enhance connectivity, and improve the quality of life for all citizens. By focusing on key components such as public transportation, logistics, infrastructure development, and intermodal connectivity, the transportation sector can play a pivotal role in supporting a 24-hour economy. Furthermore, by leveraging AfCFTA, Ghana can expand its export capabilities, create jobs, and position itself as a key player in the African trade landscape.

To achieve these goals, a comprehensive plan that includes infrastructure investment, capacity building, supportive policies, and stakeholder engagement is essential. With the right approach, the transportation sector can become a catalyst for economic development and connectivity, ensuring that Ghana remains competitive in a rapidly changing global economy.

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