K’si calls for return of MMT buses

Frustrated passengers in the Ashanti regional capital, Kumasi, are demanding the return of the Metro Mass Transport (MMT) Intercity Project, following challenges in accessing public transport in the Central Business District (CBD) of the Garden City.

Following the recent relocation of commercial vehicles from the Kejetia Bus Terminal to pave way for the Kejetia Redevelopment Project, passengers have had to struggle to get means of transport to their destinations.

Strangers visiting the city for the first time as well as regular commuters are left to their fate to find commercial buses otherwise known as ‘trotro’ to move about within the city or travel outside of Kumasi.

Whilst the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has earmarked some spaces such as the Racecourse, Bantama and Abinkyi Market as temporal alternative stations for drivers till the project’s completion, most of them rather prefer hanging around the central business district (CBD) picking passengers as they moved along.

Both passengers and drivers have bitterly complained and lambasted the KMA for doing very little to ensure their wellbeing was catered for by taking steps to mitigate against the negative effects of the project.

Today engaged some passengers on challenges with transportation as KMA has kick-started the $300 Million Brazil Government sponsored Kejetia Redevelopment project.

They suggested that the solution to the transport challenge was for the authorities to bring back the Kumasi Intercity Metro Mass Transport project to reverse the current trend where passengers were having difficulties finding transport to their destinations.

According to most interviewees, the Metro Mass Transport's Intercity buses conveyed many passengers, making it very easy to have access to public transport at a cheaper price.

They stressed that in these times where drivers are scattered and roaming, the KMA and other stakeholders should plan on how to re-introduce that system so passengers will be spared of the stress they go through all sake of transportation.

A traveler, Kwame Akoto Baffuor, told this reporter last Monday he could not understand why the intercity transport project was abolished in Kumasi.

He said the suspension of the project was having telling effect on the travelling public and the transport industry in the metropolis and the region as a whole.

He emphasised that had that initiative been operational it would have greatly reduced the long queues at Kejetia and the attendant discomfort to the traveling public.

Other passengers have expressed similar sentiments calling on the KMA to immediately resolve the transport challenge the Kejetia project has brought about.

Today was unable to get a response from the Metro Mass office in Kumasi.