Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has assured commuters that the government has begun plans to procure high-occupancy buses to help address worsening transport challenges.
She gave the assurance during a high-level meeting with driver unions, as well as the Ministers for Transport and Local Government, aimed at finding lasting solutions to the current transport crisis affecting the capital and other urban centres.
She revealed that President John Dramani Mahama has directed that support be extended to Metro Mass Transit, Aayalolo, and private transport operators through the provision of new buses.
“In this vein, His Excellency the President has asked me to assure all of you that he will give support to Metro Mass, Aayalolo, and the private sector with new high-occupancy buses in order to augment services in the medium term,” the Vice President stated.
According to the Vice President, the planned procurement will help strengthen both state-owned transport companies and the private sector, which together carry the bulk of daily commuters.
She said the move forms part of the government’s broader effort to reduce pressure on the transport system and improve mobility for the public.
At the meeting, the Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, expressed concern about the deteriorating state of public transport, attributing it largely to years of neglect and inadequate investment in new vehicles.
“The Ministry of Transport and its agencies, such as Intercity STC and Metro Mass Transit Limited, and by extension Aayalolo under the Ministry of Local Government, have not seen any retooling of their vehicles,” he said.
He explained that the absence of new buses has placed enormous pressure on the few vehicles currently in operation.
“This has brought pressure on the few vehicles that they are operating,” he added.
Mr. Nikpe also pointed to challenges within the private transport sector, noting that many operators have struggled to renew their fleets over the years.
“The private sector also, over the years, has not been able to renew the fleets they operate,” he said, adding that increased activity on major routes has worsened congestion and delays.
“With a lot of activities on our routes, congestion, and delays in movement, it has become very difficult for us to control and manage our traffic situation,” he said.
However, the Transport Minister said the government is ready to take decisive action to reverse the trend.
Source: myxyzonline.com
