Transport Minister Joseph Nikpe Bukari has disclosed that government plans to procure 500 new buses over the short to medium term to bolster the operations of state-owned Metro Mass Transit Limited (MMTL) and improve urban and intercity transport nationwide.
The initiative is part of the government’s broader effort to modernise the country’s transport system and advance its economic transformation agenda.
“Mr Speaker, I wish to announce to this House that the company is in the process of acquiring new buses, about 500 of them over a short to long term, to augment our operations,” he told Parliament.
About 150 buses are expected to arrive early next year, marking the first phase of the programme, the minister said. Metro Mass Transit currently operates only 134 buses, a number he described as insufficient to sustain operations or meet growing demand for affordable and reliable transport.
“These buses will be deployed within the country to optimise existing routes and establish new ones in underserved areas,” he said.
The government’s plan includes upgrading terminal infrastructure, improving service delivery, and creating new jobs in the transport sector. The minister added that Metro Mass Transit is also introducing elements of a 24-hour economy, beginning with its maintenance and traffic management units, to ensure continuous service and fleet availability.
The investment seeks to address chronic inefficiencies and congestion in urban mobility while promoting inclusive economic growth.
