The government has unveiled an ambitious plan to revamp the country’s public transportation network, confirming that the first batch of 100 brand-new buses will touch down in March 2026.
Deputy Transport Minister and Jomoro MP, Dorcas Affo-Toffey, disclosed that the delivery forms part of a larger strategy to inject more than 300 additional buses into the Metro Mass Transit fleet before the end of the year.
In an interview, the Deputy Minister stressed that authorities are moving aggressively to close the nation’s transport gap and ease commuter hardship.
She revealed that delegations travelled to Egypt, India and Dubai to secure the vehicles, describing the March consignment of 100 mini-buses as clear evidence that government is actively responding to mounting public concerns over transportation.
The intervention is expected to ease pressure on the heavily patronised “trotro” system, particularly as the Easter festivities approach — a period traditionally marked by intense travel activity.
The incoming 29-seater buses, she explained, are equipped with modern digital features, earning them the nickname “smartphones on wheels.” They will include onboard charging ports, a Tap n’ Go cashless ticketing platform, and Real-Time Passenger Information Systems to allow commuters monitor bus arrival schedules and minimise waiting times.
To prevent the vehicles from deteriorating prematurely, a structured maintenance programme has been introduced. Manufacturers and financial partners will oversee servicing for the first 12 months, while MMT depots nationwide will be stocked with critical spare parts.
Additionally, local engineers are set to undergo intensive technical training within the one-year transition window to assume full operational control thereafter.
The Deputy Minister further disclosed that engagements with private investors have yielded positive results, with more privately financed buses anticipated between March and April. The broader objective, she noted, is to create a dependable and attractive alternative to private car ownership.
She appealed to the public for patience and cooperation, urging citizens to support the administration’s transport reform drive under its “Resetting Agenda.”
In a related development, police have arrested two suspected land guards and 12 individuals allegedly impersonating National Security operatives.
Source: Wesleyannews.com
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