By; Alieu Amara Suwu
Alpha Amadu Bah, President of Drivers’ Union, in an exclusive interview with Expo Times on 28th October 2023, spoke on the newly established metro transport company.
Amadu Bah said the company is set by the union, under the watch of the Government of Sierra Leone to manage the 50 buses which are to arrive in Sierra Leone in three weeks time, according to the Minister of Transport and Aviation Rtd. Cornel Alhaji Fanday Turay.
He said the project Is one of the many ideas of the President Julius Maada Bio to address the transport constraint in the country specifically in the capital, Freetown.
Bah further stated that this project is different from the other failed projects of past government, adding that this is the first time in the history of Sierra Leone the sector will be introduced to a cashless payment system, and they as a union embrace it, as it will speak to the issues of “overcharging” by drivers, the issue of “halfway” and fighting at various bus stops for transportation.
Speaking on the quality of these buses Bah stated that the buses are fully automated and work with time. He added that there will be a time limit for departure, after the time has elapsed, even if there is one passenger seated inside the bus, it will leave for it destination.
He reaffirmed that the entire road network in Freetown, according to the structure of the project, will be apportioned to different types of vehicles. He said some roads will be specifically for the buses that are coming in to ply, and the others will serve as an alternative route for private transports, and other vehicles, which will serve as a feeder to the main express highway where the buses will be plying.
He further that the 50 buses will be apportioned within Freetown, owing to the fact that this first phase will be a pilot project; once it is successful, it will be introduced in the provenance areas.
Responding to the illiteracy rate among the union membership to undertake this kind of project that is 80% if not 100% technical interns of consumer relations and other technical aspects, stated that the union is in constant talks with its membership, and they assured the public of 100% professionalism in executing the project.
He concluded by commending the President Bio for being thoughtful as the project is timely, and it will impact the public positively.
Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on Wednesday 1st November, 2023 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
