Mid-Year Budget Review: Gov't earmarks GH¢400m to purchase high-occupancy buses

The government has allocated GH¢400 million to acquire high-occupancy buses to strengthen the fleets of state-owned transport companies as part of efforts to improve public transportation across the country.

The intervention is expected to benefit Metro Mass Transit and the State Transport Company (STC), with the aim of increasing the availability of buses on busy urban and intercity routes.

The announcement comes amid persistent complaints by commuters, particularly in Accra and other major urban centres, over long waiting times, overcrowding and frequent transport fare increases during peak periods.

Presenting the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review in Parliament on Thursday, July 23, Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson said the investment would significantly improve the capacity of state-owned transport operators.

"Government is committed to improving urban mobility and providing safe, reliable, and affordable public transport for Ghanaians. To this end, government is allocating GHS400 million for the acquisition of high-occupancy busses to strengthen the fleet of state-owned transport companies," the Minister anounced.

He explained that the additional buses would help reduce long passenger queues and also offer commuters a more dependable alternative to private transport.

"This intervention will expand public transport capacity, particularly along high-demand urban and intercity routes, reducing long passenger queues during peak hours, and provide commuters with more reliable and efficient alternative to private vehicles," the minister explained.