Transportation is one key sector that plays pivotal role in the socio-economic development of every nation in this planet earth. One cannot imagine how there would be a world without transportation.
All over the globe there are various forms by which human beings travel. These are via roads, air, sea and rail travel. And all these systems of transportation have proven to be an integral aspect of public transportation in many developed countries.
In Ghana, buses and private commercial cars are the most popular forms of public transportation, especially for long distances. One private transport services company that has continuously made the safety and comfort of its passengers a priority is Great Imperial Transport Services Limited (GITSL).
Incorporated in 1991 as a private limited liability company, GITSL throughout its 18 years of operation has not relented in its efforts to provide efficient transport and allied services to companies and the Ghanaian public.
GITSL is privately owned by Ghanaian Dr Apostle Kwadwo Safo and it has branches in Accra, Tarkwa, Takoradi, Tamale, Walewale, Tema, Bolgatanga, Bawku and Wa. Its courier services also cut across the boundaries of Ghana as some of its buses travel as far as to Niamey in Niger.
Speaking in an interview with Aviation/Automobile TODAY , Mr Dominic Afful, the Deputy Managing Director of GITSL, disclosed that their scope of operations include the following services: passenger services; working bussing services; social services and parcel and letter services.
“With the passenger services we operate intercity bus services within five regions namely Greater Accra, Northern, Upper East, Upper West and Western. And this is done on daily basis,” stated Mr Afful.
And also from Accra to Niamey in Niger, GITSL carries passengers to this place on a daily basis. The good thing is that GITSL has its own terminals in all towns it has branches, and an average of two thousand passengers is what the company carry a day.
With the workers and busing service, GITSL render professional and dependable bus transportation to both large and medium scale companies within Tarkwa, Accra, Tema and Takoradi. It also provides buses to companies for their operations and among its customers in this area include Western Castings, Norplan, Modern Kosa Ltd., AngloGold Ashanti etc.
The services of GITSL also cover social services by schools, churches, football clubs, NGOs etc., who usually embark on excursions and funeral travels. The company uses Marcopolo buses and Mercedes Chassis manufactured by Marcopolo Bus Company in South Africa.
Other buses are MCV 400 from Europe and Toyota Coaster buses. GITSL have buses with air conditioner facilities and there are ones without this facility, with seating capacity range of twenty- sixty five (20-65).
According to the MD, “drivers of GITSL are highly trained with professional license ‘F’. Drivers are selected for their courtesy and professionalism and work in strict compliance to our corporate directives.”
Furthermore, the drivers are given regular safety and defensive driving techniques. This is against the fact that they [the drivers] play a major role in the company’s scheme of operations. And they are always given firm instructions to treat passengers with utmost dignity and respect.
One area that GITSL surpasses many of the transport companies in the country is the provision of courier services. Great Imperial Transport Services Ltd., is very reliable in providing courier services at considerable rates to both companies and individuals.
Mr Afful told Aviation/Automobile TODAY that the success chalked by his company is attributable to the diligence of an efficient board of directors, GITSL drivers and every member of staff of the company.
BY ATO KEELSON & MILLICENT YARO
Mr.ATO,i still know there is some problems confronting this company and am ready to help you with solutions if only you will share them (the problems) with me.