Vice President Prof Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has assured commuters that the government has begun plans to procure high-occupancy buses to help address the worsening transport challenges.

She gave the assurance during a high-level meeting with driver unions, as well as the Ministers for Transport and Local Government, aimed at finding a lasting solution to the current transport crisis affecting the capital and other urban centres.

She revealed that President John Mahama has directed that support be extended to Metro Mass Transit, Aayalolo, and private transport operators through the provision of new buses.

“In this vein, His Excellency the President has asked me to assure all of you that he will give support to Metro Mass, Aayalolo and the private sector with new high-occupancy buses in order to augment services in the medium term,” the Vice President stated.

According to the Vice President, the planned procurement will help strengthen both state-owned transport companies and the private sector, which together carry the bulk of daily commuters.

She said the move is part of the government’s broader effort to reduce pressure on the transport system and improve mobility for the public.

At the meeting, the Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, expressed concern about the deteriorating state of public transport, blaming it largely on years of neglect and lack of investment in new vehicles.

“The Ministry of Transport and their agencies like Intercity STC and Metro Mass Transit Limited, and by extension Ayalolo under the Ministry of Local Government, have not seen any retooling of their vehicles,” he said.

He explained that the absence of new buses has placed enormous pressure on the few vehicles currently in operation. “This has brought pressure on the few vehicles that they are operating,” he said.

Mr Nikpe also pointed to challenges within the private transport sector, noting that many operators have struggled to renew their fleets over the years.

“The private sector also, over the years, has not been able to renew the fleet they operate,” he said, adding that increasing activities on major routes have worsened congestion and delays.

“With a lot of activities on our routes, congestion and delays in movement, it has become so difficult for us to control and manage our traffic situation,” he said.

However, the Transport Minister said the government is ready to take action to reverse the trend.

“The good news is that government is willing and prepared to retool our transport companies like the Intercity STC, the Metro Mass Transit Limited and Ayalolo under the Ministry of Local Government,” he said.