Smart Transit Ltd, a transportation service and e-mobility software platform provider, is celebrating the first month of operation for its commercial electric vehicle (EV) bus service, the first of its kind in Ghana. The service, known as Smart Transyt, runs from Oyarifa through Adenta to the Central Business District of Accra, offering commuters a comfortable, eco-friendly ride with air conditioning, free internet, and a cashless payment system.
Some have mistaken the service as part of the government’s planned EV bus initiative, but Smart Transyt is entirely a private venture aimed at delivering innovative, sustainable transportation to the public. The 26-seater bus completes four round trips daily and has already attracted over 5,700 passengers. Its first trip is as earlier as 5:45am to enable commuters who are mostly workers, to get to their various offices in time.
To ride Smart Transyt, commuters must register for the service and use a digital payment platform that allows for seamless, cashless transactions on board. “Once registered, passengers simply load electronic funds, board the bus, and enjoy the ride. During the journey, they receive a prompt, enter their code, and the fare is automatically deducted. There’s no need to make payments before sitting or show anything to the driver,” explained Mr. Edmund Bentil, Chief Executive and Founder of Smart Transit Ltd, in an exclusive interview with The High Street Journal.
Mr. Bentil highlighted the company’s dual focus on providing a premium EV bus service while contributing to reducing carbon emissions in Ghana. Additionally, passengers can comfortably work on their devices during the journey, thanks to the free internet onboard.
Beyond offering a transportation service, Smart Transit has introduced an innovative ownership model, allowing groups or individuals to purchase EV buses directly from the manufacturer to be part of the fleet. “The bus ownership scheme is unique,” said Mr. Bentil. “It provides a comfortable ride with an electronic payment system and gives owners real-time revenue sharing. As soon as a commuter makes a payment, the portion designated for the bus owner is instantly credited to their account. There’s no need to wait for end-of-day or month-end reconciliations.”
The innovative model has generated significant interest from individuals keen on owning EV buses, with many expressing excitements over the seamless revenue assurance it offers.
Mr. Bentil revealed plans to expand the fleet next year, add new routes in Accra, and extend the service to Kumasi, contributing further to sustainable transportation in Ghana.
