The Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has ushered in a new phase in Ghana’s public transportation by introducing electric buses.
Dr Bawumia launched the first batch of electric buses, which will be piloted in Accra, at a ceremony on Wednesday.
The buses are powered by charging the electric system, instead of using fuel, and with the complete absence of the cost of fuel and other related maintenance costs, the cost of public transportation on the electric buses are expected to come down considerably, between 40% and 50%.
Speaking at the launch of the buses, Dr Bawumia said it marked the beginning of a new era in the public transport sector and also a demonstration of “possibility mindset.”
“Today, we are making history with the commissioning of these electric buses. It represents a visionary shift in how we approach public transport. Today, we are taking a definitive step towards revolutionising the transport sector with sustainability and innovation at its core,” Dr Bawumia said, highlighting the positive impact of the electric buses on the environment.
“Today, we are setting the stage for the future and aligning our interventions with global best practices. The use of fossil fuel-powered vehicles, its impact on climate change and air pollution, are no longer distant threats but urgent realities that demand immediate action.”
When Dr. Bawumia announced the introduction of the electric buses earlier this year, he said his ultimate objective was to reduce the cost of transportation and at the launch, he highlighted the economic benefit of the buses to Ghanaians.
“The economic benefits of using electric buses cannot be overemphasised. Electric buses, as we know, offer lower operating and maintenance costs compared to conventional diesel buses,” he said.
“The use of the electric bus will, therefore, translate into more efficient use of resources and cut operational costs by about 50% to the benefit of passengers. Metro Mass will be better positioned to enhance services, lower transport fares, and invest in fleet renewal and expansion efforts,” Dr. Bawumia said.
Dr Bawumia noted that the successful introduction of electric buses reflects the mindset of possibilities, which he has often talked about.
Rex Mainoo Yeboah
