By Sarah Baafi
Managing Director of Metro Mass Transit, Cezario Kale, has disclosed that the state-owned transport company is turning to private investment to rebuild its depleted bus fleet, following years of decline and limited government support.
Speaking on GHOne TV, Mr. Kale expressed disappointment over the current state of Metro Mass operations, revealing that although the company handed over more than 500 buses to a previous administration, it received about 400 buses upon return to office, with only a little over 100 currently operational.
“I feel very bad,” Mr. Kale said, describing the situation as worrying for a company mandated to provide affordable and efficient transport services to Ghanaians.
Metro Mass, he explained, operates largely as a social service provider, with fares consistently set below prevailing market rates. As a result, successive governments have traditionally supported the company through grants, often in the form of buses, to help it remain operational.
However, Mr. Kale noted that unlike previous managements, the current leadership has decided not to wait indefinitely for government intervention.
“We don’t want to sit on our hands waiting for government grants. When buses break down and no replacements come, operations suffer, and Ghanaians suffer,” he stated.
Acknowledging the broader economic challenges facing government, Mr. Kale said management sought ministerial support and engaged vendors willing to supply buses under flexible payment arrangements. This shift, he noted, has been driven by efforts to increase revenue mobilisation and improve operational efficiency at Metro Mass.
According to him, these reforms have made the company attractive to investors, several of whom are now in advanced discussions with Metro Mass.
Mr. Kale confirmed that a Ghanaian vendor has committed to supplying 300 buses, with the first batch expected to arrive by mid-February. The buses, currently undergoing branding after inspection in Egypt, will be delivered in phases over the next eight months.
“In the Christmas season, some videos circulated showing us inspecting buses in Egypt. Those buses are real and already in advanced stages,” he said.
He added that Metro Mass has also engaged other vendors prepared to supply additional vehicles to further strengthen the fleet.
Mr. Kale emphasized that the initiative marks a deliberate effort to change the narrative at Metro Mass and ensure sustainable public transport delivery without excessive reliance on government bailouts.
