During the weekly press conference, the Deputy Minister of Information and Civic Education Yusuf Keketomah Sandi updated the general public about the cost and operations of the 50 new buses. According to him, the new buses cost about $7. 5 billion dollars.
According to the Minister of Information and Civic Education: “This project aims to improve the quality of public transport, address climate resilience, improve road safety, and enhance institutional capacity in the transport sector in Sierra Leone. Amongst the other components in the project, 50 buses have already arrived and will soon start operations. Before that, the buses which have been dubbed as WAKAFINE will be launched by His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio on Monday, 29th January 2024, and handed over to the managing company, Metro Transport Limited (Motor Drivers Union, Poda-Poda and Bus Owners Association, Keke Union, and Bike Riders Union members).
After the launch, there will be a three-day test drive – a free bus trip from the 30th of January to the 1st of February 2024.
However, the buses will start full payment operation on the 2nd of February 2024.
According to the minister, the buses will run in two corridors – the East Corridor from Bus Station to Calaba Town and the West Corridor from Bus Station to Lumley
