His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo has commissioned the first batch of 45 VDL buses out of 100 for the Metro Mass Transit Limited (MMTL) calling on staff to use and maintain the buses to make them last longer.

“The arrival of these buses marks a new dawn for public transport. You are to enhance public transportation as well as monitoring the usage of the buses and adopting maintenance strategies to enable the MMTL receive more buses because of the prudent use of these ones being commissioned today”, he added.

The President said government had it as one of its priorities to further enhance the capacity of public transportation and improve operations, therefore, the need for the collaboration with the Belgium government in purchasing the buses for the Metro Mass Transit Limited with the hope of giving them 40 buses every year.

Speaking at the commissioning of 45 VDL buses for the MMTL in Accra, the President emphasized the need for maintenance of the buses and stated he was glad the Metro Mass Transit Limited (MMTL) had claimed its status as one of the best transport operators that served Ghanaians.

The Minister for Transport, Hon Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, on his part, noted, the vision of the Ministry was to improve an effective public transport system by introducing these new buses to provide affordable and comfortable public transport to enable easy commuting.

He revealed, the establishment of the MMTL some 19 years ago, was to support Government's pro-poor policies through the provision of affordable, reliable and accessible bus services to the travelling public. The MMTL was particularly effective in servicing hard-to-reach areas thereby ensuring that people in these areas had reliable and safe transport options for a variety of reasons including agriculture and trading.

The Minister added, to ensure continuous improvement in MMTL operations, they were pursuing a special arrangement with the Belgium Government for the supply of at least about forty (40) buses every year for the next five (5) years.

He further urged the MMTL to explore partnership arrangement with the private sector to bring in more buses to support it operations. “It is my hope that these interventions among others would bring life to the Company”, he added.

He admonished the MMTL to handle the buses with care as well as urged the drivers to be cautious and disciplined to reduce carnage on our roads.

He extended his profound gratitude to the Belgium government for their financial support, the Governing Board, Management, staff and the Union of MMTL and all who supported in diverse ways to make the commissioning a success.

Managing Director of MMTL, Albert Adu-Boahen admonished drivers and technicians to handle the buses with care and also attract new customers by their dedication and commitment to duty.