Ghana’s STC really got revived, a MUST to maintain

When I was growing up, there was no other name for long journey travels than State Transport. Getting ticket needed one to book in advance until the greed of man set in. This selfishness collapsed the entire system to the extent that some routes were canceled because the buses were almost always traveling empty and had poor maintenance.
The State Transport (STC) got revived by the previous government with new buses and even attendants on board during travel. I recently heard there was a fight with some of the already established transport associations from Kumasi to Accra because the STC is strategizing to move from their comfort zone at Adum to the Asafo-Neoplan Station to capture passengers. This negative news made me choose to try the STC after their rebranding.
I got to the terminal and bought my ticket and was given the time of departure to be 18:00 GMT whether the vehicle gets full or not. I had by that indication an hour to spare waiting for the bus which I learned had gone to Asafo to collect some passengers before coming to their terminal for those of us who had purchased the ticket onsite.
True to the words of STC, we left Kumasi as they indicated even with several empty seats. My worry was that, if they continue moving on empty buses, the transport system we desire in Ghana might not survive the turbulence.

The crew on board spoke nicely to us and indicated the packages we will receive during our journey. We got a nicely packaged snack (also Ghanaian branded), USB charging facility and urinal but unfortunately, the internet on board was down.
I must say that I enjoyed the journey except for some few observations that if not checked, might take us back to where the transport system got before the intervention of government.
First and foremost, while waiting for the bus, a woman showed up with some items bagged. From the conversations, they were items she was sending to Abidjan through STC in Accra. From all indications, the items were going for free without the necessary charges paid for. She cunningly packaged some boxes for those in Accra who would further transfer the items to Abidjan. For the “loading boys” at the Kumasi terminal, she handed down Two Ghana cedis (Ghc 2.00) note to share and they were very appreciative. None could envisage they were collapsing the system that is feeding them by those actions. We should not be the cause for the failure of STC again.

Secondly, the transport managers should avail a facility that will allow the drivers and attendants to sell tickets to passengers that might be found at vantage stopping points to help reduce some of the cost of traveling on empty buses. This should be strictly controlled by all measures to curb abuse and time wastage of travelers.

STC must be mindful of where they stop for passengers to take rest and to visit the washrooms. There are well-known stopping points on the Kumasi-Accra highway that you could grab food at any point in time. Stopping at a place where nothing could be purchased in my view is not helpful. Man for eat ooo. Hmmm.

Lastly, the driver of the bus I used never understood what customer care was. From how he ordered passengers who were alighting to the unwillingness to stop even at designated bus stops. Such elements should know that it takes the presence of passengers for them to get the job they are doing and as such should respect them.

Largely, I can say that STC was indeed revived but it will take the commitment from STC and their clients to make it established to serve its purpose.