Metro Mass Transit Limited says it is preparing for a major boost to its fleet, with more than 350 new buses expected to arrive by early February as part of efforts to improve urban mobility in Accra and reduce congestion on high-demand routes.
The additional buses are being procured under a government-led programme aimed at strengthening public transport capacity, particularly during peak hours when commuters frequently endure long queues and overcrowding.
The Head of Communications at Metro Mass, Mohammed Mubarak Watara, said the company has already adjusted its operations in anticipation of the new arrivals, even as it continues to operate with a significantly reduced number of buses.
Speaking in a radio interview with Accra-based Citi FM on Thursday [January 15, 2026], Mr Watara explained that management had been instructed to concentrate resources on intra-city transport, leading to a reallocation of buses away from some intercity services.
“As the minister directed, we have focused on intra-city movement,” he said. “At the moment our fleet is low, but we have adjusted to what the minister directed.”
He noted that several long-distance routes had been scaled back to free up buses for heavily patronised corridors within Accra and its surrounding areas. These include Adenta to Accra, Kaneshie to Kasoa, Circle to Amasaman and Nsawam. Operating hours on selected routes, he added, have also been extended to cater for rush-hour demand.
Mr Watara disclosed that Metro Mass is currently operating about 115 buses nationwide, a figure far below what is required to adequately serve all assigned routes. This shortfall, he said, has forced the company to prioritise urban services while limiting some intercity operations.
The arrival of the new buses, however, has taken longer than initially anticipated. According to Mr Watara, final inspections identified the need for additional specifications to align the vehicles with evolving transport needs.
“The managing director and the Deputy Minister went for the final inspection last month. There were a few things that needed to be added, which is why the buses have not arrived yet,” he said.
He indicated that the first batch of buses is now expected by the end of January, with the remainder arriving by the first week of February at the latest.
In December 2025, the Minister of Transport reportedly dispatched his deputy, Dorcas Affo-Toffey, to Egypt to inspect the ISUZU buses being procured for Metro Mass at first hand.
The deliveries are part of a broader fleet renewal initiative announced in 2025 by the Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari-Nikpe, aimed at revitalising public transport services across the country.
