Metro Mass Transit Accepts E-zwich
Commuters who use the Metro Mass Transit (MMT) buses will be able to pay for fares with their e-zwich cards starting from August 2010.
Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems (GhIPSS) has launched a project to introduce Point of Sale (POS) devices at the MMT terminals in order to provide commuters with biometric smart cards.
The e-zwich Metro Mass Transit project would start on a pilot basis on two of the busiest routes in the country namely Accra-Tema and Accra-Ashiaman in the Greater Accra region.
The MMT bus service was incorporated in 2003 to provide mass transport services in the major cities and towns in the country.
Commuters and traders at the MMT bus terminal at Kinbu in the heart of Accra were issued with e-zwich cards.
The exercise would continue at the terminals in Tema and Ashiaman to ensure that many people who use the MMT buses acquire the biometric smart cards.
Officials of MMT are also being trained to manage the POS devices that would be deployed at the various terminals.
On the average, about 1,700 passengers use the buses every day on the two routes and it is estimated that more than half of this number would be given the e-zwich cards.
The enrolment exercise is expected to be completed by the end of this month in all the three terminals in Accra, Tema and Ashiaman.
Archie Hesse, General Manager in charge of Project and Business Development at GhIPSS, who disclosed this, said commuters who use their e-zwich cards would be able to pay for their tickets at a reduced price as part of a promotion.
The promotion is intended to encourage more people to patronize the services of the company.
Mr. Hesse expressed satisfaction with the project, as many commuters, traders and hawkers at Kinbu took advantage of the enrolment exercise to get the e-zwich cards.
He explained that commuters would have the opportunity to keep monies on their cards.
According to him, people would also be able to access other e-zwich services since the POS devices would be deployed at the various terminals.
“With time all the MMT terminals in the country will have our POSs so that commuters will have the option to either pay cash or use their e-zwich card,” Mr. Hesse added.
According to him, GhIPSS wants to use the project to reach out to the unbanked in the country.
Currently, some transport terminals such as the new Achimota terminal, Kaneshie and Tema Station lorry parks have e-zwich services and drivers and traders are able to load their daily sales onto the smart cards.
Officials of MMT are upbeat about the project because of the numerous benefits.
From Business Desk