Africa-Press – Ghana. The Metro Mass Transit (MMT) has unveiled plans to acquire 1,000 new luxury coaches to upgrade its fleet and expand nationwide operations.
The company expects to receive 500 mini and large buses by the end of the year, aiming to recover from a fleet reduction from over 1,000 buses in 2003 to just 130 currently.
Despite the company’s hovering GHC 123 million debts at the end of 2024, Acting Managing Director, Mr Cesar Kale has assured that all broken-down buses were being repaired and returned to service.
These updates were shared when the new Managing Director met staff of the Company in Cape Coast on Wednesday to formally introduce himself and help address some operational challenges collaboratively.
Mr Kale said the new fleet would consist of modern mini-buses (15-20 seats) and luxurious air-conditioned coaches to improve comfort and reliability, moving away from traditional buses.
To achieve that, the company would establish three new departments namely Metro Express, Metro Cargo, and Hiring Divisions to reflect the changing times in the transport sector.
Additionally, he said MMT had planned to repurpose its idle or encroached land assets into commercial ventures like restaurants, hotels, supermarkets and mini-bus terminals to rake in more revenue.
According to him, the new focus of the company formed part of government’s efforts to improve public transportation and rebrand MMT as a provider of efficient, safe, and affordable services nationwide.
Senior management officials, including Mr Haroun Ampaw-Wiredu, Deputy Managing Director, Mr Edward Vincent Saaka, Acting Finance Manager and Madam Margaret Amponsah, Human Resources Manager, encouraged the staff to prioritise customer satisfaction and be disciplined to enhance the company’s reputation.
They said efforts were underway to improve employee welfare, promotions and rewards and salary upgrades that had been shelved for years.
At the regional level, Cape Coast Branch Manager, Madam Elsie Bart-Addison noted that despite financial and logistical challenges, it was able to accrue a monthly revenue, averaging GHC 1.75 million.
Of the 32 buses in the region, 10 had been marked for scrapping, 17 are non-operational, leaving only seven in service with 70 staff supporting operations across various terminals and school services.
She described the decision to augment the Company’s fleet as ‘welcoming news’ and pledged the staff commitment to work to the satisfaction of all.
For More News And Analysis About Ghana Follow Africa-Press
