The Deputy Minister of Transport and Member of Parliament for Dorcas Affo-Toffey, has expressed excitement over the commissioning of the first batch of 100 new buses for Metro Mass Transit Limited, describing the development as the fulfillment of a major promise made by government to improve public transportation and reduce traffic congestion across the country.
Speaking to the media after the commissioning ceremony led by Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, the Deputy Minister said the arrival of the buses marks a significant milestone in government’s efforts to modernize Ghana’s public transport system.
According to her, government faced skepticism from sections of the public when plans were first announced to procure additional buses for Metro Mass Transit.
“It is one of the most exciting days for me because this journey started some time ago when concerns about congestion in the city became a major issue.
We received a lot of backlash, but we assured Ghanaians that under the leadership of His Excellency the President, buses would be procured for Metro Mass,” she stated.
Hon. Affo-Toffey disclosed that officials from the Transport Ministry and Metro Mass Transit traveled to Egypt to inspect the buses before shipment to Ghana.
“We went to Egypt for inspection and took pictures which later went viral. Even then, many people did not believe the buses would eventually arrive because they had heard similar promises in the past,” she noted.
She said government remained committed to delivering on the promise and successfully met the timelines announced for the arrival of the buses.
“Today, I am very excited that what the Ghanaian people were waiting for has finally become a reality. We have commissioned the 100 buses we promised, and this is only the first batch out of the 300 buses expected,” she added.
The Deputy Minister explained that the newly commissioned buses would be deployed across all 16 regions of the country to improve public transportation services and ease the burden on commuters.
She commended Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang for attending the commissioning ceremony and also praised the leadership of the Transport Ministry and Metro Mass Transit for their efforts in ensuring the successful procurement of the buses.
Hon. Dorcas Affo-Toffey with Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang,exchanging pleasantries
Hon. Affo-Toffey further stressed the importance of proper maintenance culture to ensure the longevity and sustainability of the fleet.
“Our prayer is that the buses will be well maintained. We must practice a strong maintenance culture so that Metro Mass can generate enough income to expand its fleet in the future without depending heavily on loans,” she said.
She urged management and staff of Metro Mass Transit to take proper care of the buses to ensure they serve the intended purpose.
Addressing concerns about worsening traffic congestion in major cities, the Deputy Minister acknowledged that the buses alone would not completely solve the problem but insisted they would significantly improve the situation.
“It is not going to take away congestion completely, but it will help reduce it. Congestion has existed for a very long time, but these buses will help ease the pressure.
When the next 100 buses arrive and eventually the full 300 buses are delivered, it will make a major difference,” she reiterated.
The commissioned buses forms part of a broader initiative by the government aimed at strengthening public transportation, improving mobility, and enhancing commuter comfort nationwide.
By 1960news.com
