President Akufo-Addo Commissions New 45 VDL Buses For Metro Mass

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Wednesday July 6, 2022 joined Managing Director (MD) of Metro Mass Transit Limited (MMTL), Mr Albert Adu-Boahen,Minister for Transport, Mr. Kweku Ofori Asiamah to commission the first batch of the new forty-five (45) VDL units’ intercity buses for MMTL.

President Akufo-Addo Commissions New 45 VDL Buses For Metro Mass
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Wednesday July 6, 2022 joined Managing Director (MD) of Metro Mass Transit Limited (MMTL), Mr Albert Adu-Boahen,Minister for Transport, Mr. Kweku Ofori Asiamah to commission the first batch of the new forty-five (45) VDL units’ intercity buses for MMTL.

The buses which are the products of Dutch are robust and that it would help the MMTL to operate at optimal level and improve on its profit.
According to the President, the move was part of measures of the government to revamp the operations of the MMTL, calling on the Board of Directors, management and staff of the MMTL, staff, particularly the drivers and conducted to handle the new buses with ultimate care in order to safe lives of the commuters.

For his part, the Transport Minister said the MMTL was established with an objective to provide intra-city, inter-urban and rural-urban bus services in the country.
Mr Asiamah noted that policy framework for the financing and operations of the MMTL was that the government would provide support for the acquisition of buses to enable the company to provide relatively cheaper and affordable mass transportation services to the public as a necessary social service.

Addressing the gathering, Managing Director (MD) of Metro Mass Transit Limited (MMTL), Mr Albert Adu-Boahen noted that the company has gone through some turbulence over the years as a result of the dwindling bus fleet. 
Currently, he disclosed that the company operates an average of one hundred and twenty-five (125) buses and coupled with "our low bus fares, our ability to generate revenue is greatly hampered."

He indicated that; "One major impact on our operations has been the high staff-to-bus ratio which currently stands at 16:1 as against industry standard of 6:1, adding that the need to urgently acquire more buses to augment existing fleet is of paramount importance to the sustainability of MMTL"

The MMTL boss pointed out that the arrival of these buses is most opportune and marks a new dawn in the life of this Company. 
This initiative, according to him is a major game changer and would go a long way to ensure that commuters have access to affordable and efficient public bus services.
'It will ultimately result in the improvement of the staff-to-bus ratio, improve ridership as well as guarantee the sustainability of our operations.
"On behalf of Management and the entire staff, I wish to express our sincerest and unreserved appreciation and gratitude to you Your Excellency for the unwavering support to the company. Your Excellency, Ladies and Gentlemen, taking cognizance of the paradigm shift in passenger preferences in the midst of emerging segmented markets in the road transport industry, we have put measures, to ensure effective, efficient and sustainable operations and to position the company to take its place in the road transport industry.
He assured of the comprehensive and vigorous maintenance and repair mechanism not only to take good care of the new buses but also bring the old but serviceable buses back on road and regular capacity training for all staff, particularly technicians, drivers and other frontline staff.
He stressed that his outfit would also put measures in place to ensure effective and regular monitoring and evaluation of our operations to ascertain the progress and impact of our interventions towards the achievement of intended objectives. 
He noted that company would reposition itself to strengthen the Inspectorate activities to ensure the protection of the revenue and ensure aggressive marketing and customer care activities to attract new customers to our service
He assured President Akufo-Addo of his outfit commitment to put these new buses to prudent use and ensure that the buses stand the test of time.

"Like the legendary Oliver Twist, Metro Mass Transit Limited “asks for more”. Though the buses have come at an opportune time, MMTL requires urgent fleet replacement to sustain its operations. This is a humble but earnest plea," he concluded.