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Metro Mass to Obtain Greater Than 350 New Buses in February 2026: A Major Boost for Public Transit

Introduction

Public transportation in Accra and across Ghana is poised for a significant transformation as Metro Mass Transit Limited (MMTL) announces the imminent arrival of a massive fleet upgrade. According to official statements from the transport operator, the company expects to take delivery of more than 350 new buses during the first week of February 2026. This development marks a critical milestone in the government’s broader strategy to stabilize public transport, alleviate chronic traffic congestion, and improve the daily commuting experience for millions of Ghanaians. As the country grapples with the challenges of rapid urbanization, this injection of new vehicles represents a tangible step toward modernizing the national transport infrastructure.

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the upcoming fleet expansion, the operational adjustments currently underway, and the implications for commuters in the Greater Accra Region and beyond. We will explore the background of the procurement process, the strategic realignment of MMTL’s services, and the practical realities of public transit management in a growing metropolis.

Key Points

Background

To understand the significance of this delivery, it is necessary to look at the context of public transportation in Ghana. Over the past decade, the demand for reliable intra-city transport in Accra has outpaced supply. The “trotro” system, while functional, often operates with safety and efficiency challenges, leading to the government’s push to strengthen state-backed alternatives like Metro Mass Transit.

The Government Procurement Programme

The acquisition of these 350+ buses is not an isolated purchase but part of a structured government fleet renewal program initiated in 2025. Spearheaded by the Minister for Transport, Mr. Joseph Bukari-Nikpe, the program aims to revitalize state-owned transport assets. A key component of this initiative was quality assurance. In December 2025, the government dispatched a delegation, led by the Deputy Minister of Transport, Dorcas Affo-Toffey, to Egypt. The mission was to inspect the ISUZU buses firsthand, ensuring they met the technical specifications required for Ghanaian roads and operational conditions.

The Current Operational Crisis

As of January 2026, Metro Mass operates a fleet of approximately 115 buses. This number is significantly below the threshold required to cover all designated routes effectively. The scarcity of vehicles has forced the company to make difficult choices, often scaling down intercity services to maintain a bare minimum of intra-city operations. This shortage is the primary driver behind the long waiting times and overcrowding commuters face during rush hours.

Analysis

The arrival of new buses is expected to have immediate and long-term effects on the transport ecosystem in Accra. However, the transition period reveals a complex interplay between policy, logistics, and operational management.

Operational Realignment and Prioritization

Speaking on Accra-based Citi FM on January 15, 2026, the Head of Communications at MMTL, Mohammed Mubarak Watara, detailed the strategic shifts the company has made to cope with the current fleet limitations. The company has restructured its operations to focus almost exclusively on intra-city movement.

“At the moment our fleet is low, but we have adjusted to what the minister directed,” Mr. Watara stated. This adjustment involves scaling down intercity products and services to redeploy buses to heavily patronized Accra corridors. Specific routes receiving priority include:

• Adenta to Accra Central
• Kaneshie to Kasoa
• Circle to Amasaman
• Nsawam to Accra

By concentrating resources on these high-density corridors, MMTL aims to maximize the utility of every operational bus, even with the reduced fleet size.

Managing Peak Hour Demand

One of the critical findings in the original report is the extension of running hours on selected routes. Recognizing that commuter demand does not adhere to a rigid 9-to-5 schedule, MMTL has adjusted its timetable to meet rush-hour demand. This operational flexibility is a stopgap measure designed to reduce waiting times until the new buses arrive.

Logistical Delays and Quality Control

The procurement process has faced delays, pushing the delivery timeline from late 2025 to early 2026. Mr. Watara explained that the buses were not delivered immediately after the inspection in Egypt because “final inspections revealed the need for additional specs to reflect changes in shipping operations.”

This highlights a common challenge in public procurement: the need to balance speed with specificity. The managing director and the Deputy Minister’s involvement in the final inspection suggests a hands-on approach to ensure that the new fleet is fit for purpose. While the delay may frustrate commuters facing overcrowding now, it suggests a commitment to avoiding the rapid depreciation that often plagues new fleets due to poor initial specifications.

Practical Advice

For daily commuters, transport stakeholders, and policy observers, the upcoming fleet expansion offers both hope and a need for patience.

For Commuters

While the delivery is scheduled for the first week of February 2026, the integration of 350 buses into the operational grid will not happen overnight. It takes time for vehicles to be registered, assigned routes, and for drivers to be trained or reassigned. Commuters should expect a gradual improvement in service frequency rather than an immediate elimination of queues.

For Transport Planners

The success of this fleet expansion depends on route optimization. Simply adding buses to existing routes without strategic planning can lead to new bottlenecks. Transport planners should use this opportunity to introduce synchronized timetables and perhaps explore digital ticketing solutions to improve boarding efficiency, especially on the prioritized corridors like Kaneshie to Kasoa.

For Maintenance Teams

Managing a fleet jump from 115 to nearly 500 buses requires a proportional increase in maintenance capacity. Ensuring the availability of spare parts for ISUZU models and establishing efficient workshop schedules will be crucial to keeping the new buses on the road and avoiding the degradation of the fleet size over time.

FAQ

Conclusion

The procurement of over 350 new ISUZU buses by Metro Mass Transit Limited represents a pivotal moment for public transportation in Ghana. As the buses prepare to roll out in February 2026, they bring a promise of relief for Accra’s weary commuters and a strategic realignment for the state transport operator. While the current fleet of 115 buses has forced difficult operational choices—prioritizing intra-city routes and extending hours—the incoming injection of vehicles is set to bridge the gap between demand and supply.

However, the success of this initiative extends beyond the mere arrival of the vehicles. It hinges on effective maintenance, strategic route planning, and the ability to sustain the momentum of the government’s fleet renewal program. For now, the focus remains on the first week of February, a timeline that signals a new chapter in the quest for stable, efficient, and reliable public transport in the region.

Sources

The information presented in this article is based on reports from Life Pulse Daily and an interview with Mohammed Mubarak Watara, Head of Communications at Metro Mass Transit Limited, conducted on January 15, 2026.

• Life Pulse Daily. (2026, January 15). Metro Mass to obtain greater than 350 new buses in February 2026.
• Citi FM. (2026, January 15). Radio interview with Mohammed Mubarak Watara.