During a press briefing held on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at the Freetown City Council Hall, Mayor Yvonne Aki Sawyer announced that the Freetown Cable Car Network Project will benefit 6,000 passengers.

The project, a collaboration between the Freetown City Council (FCC) and the C40 Cities Finance Facility, has completed a feasibility study for a $92 million cable car transit network. This network aims to enhance connectivity between underprivileged hillside communities and the central business district.

Mayor Yvonne Akie-Sawyerr highlighted that the project will cater to up to 6,000 passengers per hour, providing a rapid, secure, and cost-effective transportation solution for the city. The 3.6-kilometer cable car network will consist of four stations: the Eastend route (pilot), Mountain route, Western route, and Mountain route extension.

The project is specifically designed to alleviate Freetown’s chronic traffic congestion and reduce dependence on informal transport systems.

“This cable car system will alleviate urban congestion while offering a swift, safe, and affordable means of transportation for residents, particularly those residing in hillside communities,” Mayor Akie-Sawyerr emphasized. She further noted that the project will create 2,200 short-term jobs during construction and 70 long-term positions, contributing to the city’s economic development.

Mayor Akie-Sawyerr emphasized the environmental advantages of the project, such as a 31% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions and enhanced air quality, both of which will have a positive impact on public health. She stated, “The World Bank estimates that around 1.5 million individuals reside in Freetown, and this initiative will help tackle some of the environmental and health issues brought about by rapid urbanization.”

Mayor Akie-Sawyerr also delved into the broader context of climate change and its repercussions on Freetown, including issues like flooding, deforestation, and unemployment in rural areas, which have driven individuals to settle in the city’s informal settlements. “Presently, there are 82 informal settlements within the Freetown Municipality, accommodating a significant portion of the city’s youth, 70% of whom are either unemployed or underemployed,” she noted, referencing a 2019 World Bank report.

The mayor assured the public of the strong support from the Ministry of Transport and Aviation for the cable car initiative. She disclosed that the project’s feasibility report has been submitted to Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh for review and that the FCC is actively seeking funding for its implementation.

In terms of financing, Mayor Akie-Sawyerr revealed that a cable car manufacturer has already shown keen interest in backing the project, with potential support from its government to cover 50% of the total budget.

Once the Freetown Cable Car project is finalized, it is poised to transform urban transportation, enhance economic opportunities, and contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable environment for the city’s residents.