Govt to retool ISTC, MMTL for enhanced service — Deputy Transport Minister

The Deputy Minister of Transport, Dorcas Affo-Toffey, has said the government will facilitate the acquisition of buses and other essential resources for Intercity STC (ISTC) and Metro Mass Transit Ltd (MMTL) to boost their operations.

She acknowledged the contributions of the two transport companies to the socio-economic well-being of citizens and stressed the urgent need to expand their fleets to sustain their operations.

She also indicated that the 24-hour economy policy across all sectors would require their services to operate around the clock nationwide.

The minister said this during a visit to MMTL and ISTC in Accra on Thursday, October 2, to gain insight into their operations, understand their challenges, and explore opportunities for improvement.

During the tour, the two companies shared with the minister challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, limited funding, logistical constraints, and low staff motivation, and also outlined plans to enhance their operations and increase revenue.

MMTL

The acting Managing Director of MMTL, Kale Cezario, said the company’s fleet had decreased from 1,000 buses in 2004 to 115, which had affected operational capacity.

He said that over 100 buses required servicing, and the company was now operating 88 routes instead of the previous 350 due to the reduced fleet.

“As a social intervention company, what has affected us over the years is the fact that we go to the same market as other transport operators.

“Yet when transport fares are increased, we still maintain our fare just to mitigate the transport costs in this country, which is one of the core mandates of establishing the company,” he added.

Despite these challenges, Mr Cezario said the company was working on acquiring new buses to improve services and better serve the public.

“MMTL serves as a catalyst in the resetting agenda and transforming Ghana, and with the 24-hour economy policy, transport is a key to every transformative economy,” he said.

ISTC

The Managing Director (MD) of ISTC, Alhassan Ligbi, also stated that the company currently had 151 buses, of which only 50 were operational."

He said 67 per cent of the buses were grounded due to their age and lack of spare parts, adding that the company’s terminals were obsolete and unfit for modern operations.

He stated that the company’s debt burden was GH₵458.9 million.

Alhaji Ligbi said the company was working on reclaiming the majority of its operations, which were outsourced, resulting in alliance partners now controlling 75 per cent of its routes.

He said as part of their 4-Year Strategic Plan, they would work to expand ISTC's presence across West Africa and support intra-African mobility.

Go green

The MD said they were also working to position ISTC as the country’s flagship green transport provider and a leader in sustainable public transport in West Africa, while reviving ISTC's logistics and hauling legacy.

He said they planned to deploy electric vehicles, modernise regional terminals, introduce marine transport services and scale digital tools and staff training programmes.

He added that they would implement digital ticketing platforms and expand operations into Nigeria and Liberia.

Alhaji Ligbi added that they were collaborating with the Youth Employment Agency and the Armed Forces Supplies and Transport Training School to train and deploy 150 female bus drivers, primarily from Northern Ghana's deprived regions.