SLPTA Boss Assures All 50 Waka Fine Buses Will Hit Roads Before Year-End
Sierra Leone Public Transport Authority (SLPTA) Director General Isaac Ken Green has assured the public that all 50 Waka Fine buses will be operating on the country’s roads before the end of the year.
Green gave the assurance during an interview with Ecko Media, where he discussed challenges affecting the availability of the buses and measures being taken to improve their operations.
He said maintenance challenges and difficulties in obtaining spare parts have affected efforts to keep the entire fleet on the road.
According to Green, measures are being put in place to address the challenges, including plans to establish a common workshop to support the maintenance of the buses.
He also highlighted efforts to improve the quality of public transportation through additional training for drivers.
Green said the training is aimed at upgrading drivers’ skills and improving the standard of service provided to passengers.
The Director General maintained that the buses remain in good condition, but said difficulties in obtaining some required spare parts have affected their deployment.
“Before the end of this year, I assure you that Sierra Leoneans will see all 50 buses on the road,” Green said during the interview.
The Waka Fine fleet was introduced as part of efforts to strengthen public transportation in Freetown. The World Bank has previously reported that 50 buses were provided under the Integrated and Resilient Urban Mobility Project, with Metro Transport Company responsible for operating the service.
Green’s assurance comes as efforts continue to restore the full fleet and strengthen the maintenance and operational systems needed to keep the buses in service.