Govt to support Metro Mass with more buses
The government is to procure 84 buses for the Metro Mass Transit Limited (MMT) to augment the fleet of the company and make its work more effective in the country. The Minister of Transport, Mr Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, who announced this at the inauguration of a new MMT bus terminal in Aflao, said plans were far advanced to deliver the buses by the first quarter of next year to increase government’s supply of buses to the company to 200.
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Meanwhile, the company is also embarking on a fleet renewal programme aimed at replacing the current old fleet.
The board of directors has reportedly approved the procurement of the new buses to revamp the company’s operation.
The buses are to be financed from the company’s own resources through a supplier’s credit arrangement.
The new terminal
The Aflao terminal project executed by Gbangu Engineering Limited has facilities such as restrooms, bus washing bay, offices for operational crew, reception area for passengers and sleeping rooms for drivers and conductors and will accommodate more than 300 people at a time.
Mr Kwetey, who said the completion of the terminal was in fulfilment of a promise made by the President to the people of Aflao three years ago, indicated that the initiative was to improve the transportation system in the area.
Aflao, he said, had remained a big hub of economic activities not only for citizens but for many people who travelled to the place to engage in trading and other economic activities on a daily basis.
‘It is, therefore, appropriate that such an important economic centre should have a very well-developed transportation system and facilities to facilitate movement of people and goods,’ he stated.
Airport for Aflao
In view of the massive economic activities that go on at Aflao on a daily basis, Mr Kwetey announced that the government had decided to construct an airport in the area during the second term of President John Dramani Mahama.
He called on the people to patronise the services of the company to keep it in business and also advised the drivers to continue to drive with utmost care to ensure the safety of their passengers, especially during the festive season.
The Managing Director (MD) of the company, Mr Alhassan Ligbi, described the new terminal as a strategic national transport infrastructure whose benefit went beyond improving the lives of residents in Aflao.
Redevelopment of terminals across the country
He said the present condition of most MMT terminals across the country was a major constraint on the delivery of quality services to passengers.
The company, he said, planned to redevelop each regional terminal with facilities such as retail shops, restaurants, car park complex and office accommodation which would also improve the financial position of the company.
Mr Ligbi further said the company was ready to partner private investors to redevelop the regional bus terminals on a build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis, inviting interested investors to partner the company.
To improve the safety of passengers and staff, the company, he said, had decided to establish a training academy to develop the capabilities of its staff.
The Paramount Chief of the Aflao Traditional Area, Togbe Amenya Fiti V, said the people were ready to offer land to enable MMT to expand its operation in the area.