Pictures of Trotro Buses

Mercedes trotro bus at Trade Fair La. This bus is parked close to the Tse Addo traffic light, across the Kpogas Furniture Showroom. Its a bright sunset as commuters return from work. Public roads in Ghana take into consideration trotro transport in their designs and therefore make available ample space for parking and disembarkment.

A trotro bus conductor in yellow shirt persuades a commuter to board his vehicle.  The conductor would typically persuade that "there are few buses today so you will delay on your journey if you keep waiting". But passengers would rather want to delay than board a rickety bus. Passengers are discerning and can tell an unconformable bus from the exterior so they would avoid boarding such a trotro.

A blue Mercedes Benz trotro bus descends the Wireless road at La Palm Wine.  This bus carries up to about 25 people and has a bigger luggage compartment area.  Its got aisle seats and paneled interiors to prevent heat radiation.

A trotro bus approaches the Adabraka Office of the Ghana Revenue Authority.  This white Toyota Hiace bus is heading towards Sankara Circle but will first stop at Paloma and continue towards the King Tackie Overpass.

Lights from the headlamps of a Nissan Urvan trotro bus greets waiting passengers at Tudu. The drivers start work very early, say 3 am because commuters especially traders need to get to their trading stalls very early in the morning to sell to early buyers who can arrive as early as 5 am. Some clerical staff also need early trotro bus services.  There are some who need to trek 30 kilometers to attend to work. They can only be on time if they set out early.

This man is alighting from a trotro bus.  He was at the left section seat so he has to traverse the aisle and step down. The buses typically have improvised side steps so you dont need to straddle the door frame to mount. The steps are especially useful for women and kids.  It can take quite some time to disembark if you are getting down from the sixth row of a bus.

A Hyundai trotro bus passes in front of the new Planet Khebab restaurant at Osu.  Though small, this bus has very comfortable seating and interior paneling. It takes up to about 12 passengers.  It was originally designed as a family van so it has not got a lot of room for luggage and cargo.

Trotro buses park under the Nkrumah interchange at Circle Accra. The passengers, mostly in transit from Kaneshie, Osu and Accra, will board these buses and travel the North route and East route.

These trotro buses at High Street are awaiting their turn to mount the boarding bay called loading in Ghana.  Typically, buses belonging to the Union, will have priority over all others. The bus terminal will charge a fee for each bath of passengers conveyed from the station. The fee is paid per trip not per day. A trotro bus must be registered with the local union to be able to park at their lot.

This green Iveco trotro bus passing the Osu SG Bank has an exotic white super roof. These buses are very aged - some have been in service for decades - but are well-maintained and surprisingly do not smoke or jerk or sputter. Ghana may not be manufacturing cars yet but is an expert in auto fixes.  A mechanic can give you a chart of all auto parts that fit other cars.  For example,  they may know that the transmission of a Toyota Corolla fits that of a Nissan Almera or cutting 3 centimeters of a bolt of one model will make it fit another car.

A passenger alights from a blue 1970s Ford Transit trotro bus.  Due to narrow aisles, congested doorways and high clearance, it may require some acrobatics to exit a trotro bus.  It may be noted that trotro buses are converted vans and were not originally designed for human comfort.