The State Transport Firm (STC) stated it was taking pressing steps to deal with rising issues over lengthy ready instances and the situation of some buses, following rising public dissatisfaction at terminals throughout the nation.
The state-owned transport operator’s administration stated plans are underway to strengthen its operations by including round 120 new buses by the tip of the yr, which is anticipated to ease stress on its overstretched bus fleet and enhance passenger expertise throughout the nation.
The reassurance was issued after a video circulating on social media confirmed stranded passengers expressing anger at what some described as lengthy delays and poor service requirements at many STC stations.
In response to the criticism, Nur Hamidan, the corporate’s deputy managing director for finance and administration, defended STC’s upkeep procedures, acknowledging the operational difficulties however insisting that passenger security stays the corporate’s high precedence.
“Now we have requirements to comply with. What makes us completely different from different buses is security. Each time a bus drops off a passenger, it goes straight to the workshop for correct checks earlier than hitting the street once more,” he stated.
He stated delays at some terminals are partly resulting from necessary technical inspections after each bus journey to make sure the autos are match to run earlier than beginning once more.
Nonetheless, Hamidan admitted that the corporate’s present fleet measurement is inadequate to satisfy growing passenger demand, particularly throughout peak journey instances, resulting in overcrowding and lengthy ready instances at some stations.
The corporate has confronted growing criticism in current months from commuters, who say delays, disrupted schedules and growing old buses are affecting belief within the once-dominant public transport operator.
Passengers within the viral video complained of spending hours ready for buses on the terminal, with some accusing the corporate of poor communication and poor customer support.
Nonetheless, STC stated it’s working to stabilize operations pending the arrival of further buses anticipated later this yr.
Administration believes that the deliberate fleet growth will considerably cut back journey instances, cut back congestion at terminals and restore effectivity throughout intercity routes.
In the meantime, the corporate says it has entered into strategic partnerships with different transport operators to soak up extra passenger demand and reduce disruption brought on by the present bus scarcity.
The nationwide transport firm is without doubt one of the oldest public transport programs in Ghana, working long-distance passenger providers throughout main cities and cities, in addition to some worldwide routes inside the West African sub-region.
Regardless of growing competitors from personal transport operators, STC continues to market itself as a safety-focused airline, particularly on long-haul journey.
