Fortunately, STC has bounced back but at a time when competition in the transport industry is very rife. People who would have taken no other transport other than STC to their destinations, have now found a suitable alternative in VIP buses.  Some people don’t even know that STC is back.  Their first point of call is VIP buses.

I recently had to travel to Burkina Faso for a programme and my first point of call for transport was STC as I wanted security in my travel. I made a few calls to enquire about sale of tickets, booking and the bus schedule.  The people I spoke to on each of those calls warmed my heart towards the Corporation and set my heart at ease about the operations.  They sounded very knowledgeable about their job and answered all my queries quite well.  Unfortunately, their website does not give much information on their international routes and this must be worked on as soon as possible.

The STC yard itself has seen some facelift and this is very encouraging.  The workers seemed enthusiastic about their work and ready to help any customer. That felt warm. When it was a few minutes to departure, there was no sign of the bus and then we realized that we may still be dealing with the old ‘STC’. An hour after scheduled departure time and still no sign of the bus and no explanation of the delay.

 A few of us decided to ask questions and we were actually told by one of the officials that they did not NEED to explain anything to us. Helloooooo!!!!! Aren’t we the customers who are keeping this Corporation in business?? And yet we needed no explanations? Anyway, we pressed on and then we were told that there was a fault on the bus and that it was being repaired. Hmmmm.

Two hours after scheduled departure time, a bus pulls up. A handful of us who cared to know are now told that the first bus that was supposed to pick us up was not big enough so they had to prepare another bus to pick us up. Which of the stories were we to believe then? And in any case, the rest of the passengers/customers are kept in the dark because nobody comes to tell them anything.

Instead of departing at 4.00pm, we finally depart at about 6.40pm. No apology to passengers.

The buses are fitted with microphones. If STC will like to stay on top of the game, it will be good to get the drivers to use their microphones, and as pilots do on planes, welcome the passengers, apologise for the delay, mention their names and tell passengers how long the journey will be and where the stops will be.

They must also inform the passengers that each seat is fitted with USB charging outlets for passengers to charge their phones and that there are foldable trays fitted behind the seats in front of them. Passengers also need to know that there is wifi on board and the username and password must be made available to each passenger.

Meals

For these long haul journeys, passengers could be served packed meals. Upon leaving at 6.40pm dinner could be served.  If the bus had left at 4.00pm, arrangements could have been made with a caterer at a point on the journey for packed dinner with a drink and a bottle of water each to be picked and served to passengers. These can be worked into the cost of the ticket.  On a trip to Burkina Faso which lasts for about 22hrs, breakfast can also be served in the morning at either the stop in Tamale or Bolgatanga. 

On bus Movies

Our STC buses can be used to promote tourism and the country. Instead of showing violent Nigerian and Ghanaian films, we can use this opportunity to show documentaries on Ghana – our tourist attractions, festivals, foods. On the bus coming back from Ouagadougou, there were people who were visiting Ghana for the very first time and it was so disgraceful showing local violent films that don’t teach anything but rather cast a shadow on our entertainment industry. Unfortunately, there were children on board and all they were exposed to was gun and knife wielding hoodlums. Please, STC, you have the opportunity to showcase Ghana to first time visitors and even some Ghanaians on board who might be seeing some of the things for the first time. Brand Ghana and sell her.

Washrooms

The washroom on the bus is also not used. According to the drivers, chemicals and disinfectants that can be used to keep the place clean and without any smell is never made available to them so they keep the place locked.

The washrooms at the various stops are so appalling and disgraceful. I don’t think you would even want your animals to enter the washrooms at the Tamale and Bolgatanga STC yards.  Why can’t we put up simple, neat washrooms? What does it take to keep a washroom neat? Soap, water, mops, disinfectants, brooms, scrubbing brushes and hands?  And these are too difficult to acquire? Oh, please!! And it is so heartbreaking when foreigners get there and they are asked to pay 20pesewas before they are allowed to use these filthy, smelling washrooms. Some obviously with no Ghanaian currency on them, let go of whatever foreign currency they are carrying; have some benevolent Ghanaians paying for them, or simply get back onto the bus with their load. Shameful!! At Kintampo, it is very difficult to even locate the urinal.  How will a foreigner who hardly speaks and understands the English language find his or her way around to the urinal?

 If these washrooms are being ran by private companies, they must be either be asked to improve to acceptable standards or be kicked out and others employed because they are damaging rather than promoting the brand. STC, take a cue from Linda d’Or and bring your washrooms up to acceptable international standards.  Of course, take out payments for the use of the washrooms. It does not speak well of us at all.

These are just a few of the little, little things that we can do to promote STC, and our dear country. God bless us all.