POISED to meet the rising demands of its numerous clients, ABC Transport Plc on Wednesday introduced a new coach option tagged Smart Coaches.According to the company, the Smart Coach, is a Navigo-model 27-seat luxury coach designed to offer passengers an alternative between a coach and a mini bus.At the unveiling earlier this week, the Managing Director, Frank Nneji said the decision was informed for safety and comfortable transport service for its customers.According to him, 10 units of the Smart Coach have already been procured and deployed on different routes, adding that there were plans to procure more.He noted that the fatality rate of passengers in mini buses operating long hauls was usually high, adding that, 'As a matter of safety policy, the management of ABC Transport Plc has never favoured the use of mini buses for long distance travels.'The ABC Smart Coach combines the advantages of coach and mini bus; coach features and the sleekness of a small bus, which imbues it with easy maneuverability on difficult roads.'He said the Smart Coach would meet the needs of customers who did not want to travel with a luxury bus due to the poor conditions of the roads in some parts of the country.The Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Jude Nneji, explained that the Smart Coach would add value to the firms many customers.'Its distinctive styling, aesthetic design and enhanced ergonomics will provide the same quality of ride and passenger comfort that is the hallmark of coach,' he said.According to him, the Smart Coach would be operating in Nigeria for the first time and would be deployed in the Lagos-Port Harcourt and Abuja-Port Harcourt routes.He said ABC had earlier sent four key maintenance personnel on automotive training in Turkey, in readiness for the Smart Coach operation in Nigeria.Meanwhile, the company also used the occasion to grant scholarship to about 12 students across tertiary institutions in the country.The scholarship, according to the company, is aimed at rewarding excellence in deserving students across the country's tertiary institutions.The 12 students in various fields were each presented with a cheque N400, 000 in recognition of their excellent performance.Speaking at the ceremony, Nneji charged the students to always strive for the best and ensure that they keep up with their excellent performance.'Dear Scholars, I have no doubt that you appreciate and cherish the benefits of the assistance you receive by your scholarships. I encourage you to challenge yourself. Push the boundaries of education by making excellent results. I believe you all will continue to progress well in your chosen areas of study, so I wish you all every success in your studies.If there is one more piece of advice I can give to all of you today, it is to always strive for the best in whatever you do and live up to the standards of excellence. In your pursuit of excellence, you must always be a good role model for your course0mates. Also strive to live by the principles of equity, professionalism, integrity, quality and innovation, which are the core values that have helped ABC Transport Plc grow tremendously', Nneji said.The ABC Scholarship according to him, hopes to provide the students with enough study time and peace of mind, so they can pursue their aspirations and dreams without the constant worry and distraction of having to find the resources.The awardees, according to information provided by the company, were selected out of about 22 short listed applicants across the country and are the first set in the ABC National University Scholarship Scheme.'Last year, when we made the call for applications, the Scholarship Committee received a total of 1,424 applications. 924 applications were shortlisted based on the criteria set for the scholarship, while 500 applications were disqualified. Two aptitude tests were conducted at different times, and 22 candidates were shortlisted for the oral interview, out of which 12 candidates finally emerged the best'.
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