By Aminata Abu Bakarr Kamara

In Sierra Leone, transportation is more than a means of movement; it is a lifeline that connects people to jobs, schools, healthcare, and markets. Yet for many citizens, especially in urban centres, public transport remains unreliable, unsafe, and inefficient. As the country pushes toward national development, strengthening the public transport system must move higher on the national agenda.

Every day in Freetown and other major towns, commuters endure long waiting times, overcrowded vehicles, rising fares, and unregulated transport services. Workers arrive late and exhausted, students miss classes, and traders struggle to move goods efficiently. The cost of this disorder is measured not only in frustration, but in lost productivity and economic slowdown.

Public transport is also a social justice issue. For low-income earners, students, and vulnerable groups, affordable and reliable transport determines access to opportunity. When transport systems fail, inequality deepens. Many citizens are forced to rely on unsafe motorbikes or overloaded minibuses simply to survive daily life.

In this context, the introduction of the Waka Fine bus service in Freetown represents an important shift. The buses offer a more structured and safer alternative, with regulated fares, designated routes, and digital payment systems. For many commuters, Waka Fine has brought a level of predictability and dignity that was previously missing from public transport in the capital. Workers can better plan their journeys, and the pressure on informal transport operators has slightly eased.

However, while Waka Fine buses signal progress, they also reveal the limitations of current efforts. The fleet remains too small to meet the city’s growing demand, especially during peak hours. Several communities remain outside the service network, forcing residents to rely on informal and often unsafe alternatives. As a result, overcrowding, delays, and congestion persist.

This highlights a critical lesson: isolated transport initiatives cannot replace a comprehensive public transport policy. Waka Fine should be seen as a foundation—not a finished solution. Expanding the fleet, extending routes to underserved communities, improving terminals, and integrating the service with other modes of transport would significantly enhance its impact.

A stronger public transport system would also improve road safety, reduce traffic congestion, and limit environmental pollution caused by aging and inefficient vehicles. With proper regulation and investment, public buses could reduce the country’s heavy dependence on motorbike taxis and unregulated minibuses.

To achieve this, government leadership is essential. Long-term planning, collaboration with local councils and private operators, and consistent enforcement of transport regulations are key. Equally important is listening to commuters, whose daily experiences reveal where the system succeeds and where it fails.

Sierra Leone cannot achieve inclusive development while mobility remains a daily struggle for its people. The experience of Waka Fine buses shows that progress is possible but also that more must be done.

A strong public transport system is not a luxury; it is a national necessity. If Sierra Leone is serious about development, dignity, and economic growth, investing in efficient, safe, and inclusive public transport must become a sustained national priority.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 17th December 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)