The 370 new buses will double Dakar Dem Dikk's fleet, boosting public transport services in the Senegalese capital and intercity transport in the country's 14 regions.

Dakar Dem Dikk (DDD), which operates the public transport service in the Senegalese capital, is awaiting delivery of a batch of 370 buses, according to its CEO Ousmane Sylla, who revealed the company's prospects in an interview with Le Soleil.

"Delivery will begin by the end of the year. This will enable us to have frequent connections, because today, our buses are full 3 to 5 days in advance, so the need is there," he said.

This acquisition is part of the company's restructuring program, as it faces cash flow challenges and an ageing fleet, which is impacting on the quality of its services through a deterioration in comfort levels and delays on several trips.

The increase in DDD services will be complemented by other urban transport projects, notably the Regional Express Train (TER) and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), currently under development to provide the capital and its suburbs with an integrated transport system.

This will reduce the dominance of private transport operators, who operate large numbers of makeshift vehicles, increasing the risk of accidents and road congestion, not to mention the low level of comfort.

Agence Ecofin