Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia says he is optimistic the rollout of the ‘Tap and Go” transport initiative will help address the menace of corruption within the state intercity and intracity transport companies.

Similar to the popular Oyster Card used in the United Kingdom, “Tap and Go” is a digital card preloaded with cash. Passengers will simply tap the card on a fixed machine on the bus to pay for their fares.

The Ghanaian version of the “Tap and Go” card will also offer added features, including both physical and virtual versions for enhanced convenience.

Users will have the option to download the “Tap and Go” app on their mobile phones and choose the virtual card option.

This will allow them to make payments directly through their phones, eliminating the need for a physical card if they prefer.

Speaking at the official launch of the initiative in Accra on Monday (19 February) Bawumia said this will deepen transparency.

“It is important to note that, before the “Tap and Go” system was implemented by Metro Mass Transit, the audit report showed that the company was losing 50% of its revenue annually. But since it was implemented by the company, that leakage has been plucked and the revenue that it is making from 200 buses is more than when it was operating 500 buses.”

“With the ‘Tap and Go’ system, the problem of vehicle owners worrying about the accurate daily takings and whereabouts of their cars at any given time will be a thing of the past. The problem with the diversion of funds within state-owned intercity and intracity buses will also be a thing of the past, as it will help check corruption by promoting transparency,” he said.