By Ramatoulie Jawo
The Gambia Transport Service Company (GTSC) officially launched its “TAAMO” card, a smart travel card, on Wednesday. This innovative facility is set to revolutionize how passengers access GTSC services.
The TAAMO card allows passengers to seamlessly tap in and out of vehicles, with fares automatically deducted based on usage. This card aims to provide convenience, security, and financial flexibility, minimizing the risks and hassles associated with carrying cash and simplifying transactions on board GTSC buses.
GTSC is proud to be a pioneer of this technology in The Gambia, bringing enhanced convenience and efficiency to the transportation system.
Speaking to the press, Saloum Malang, the Board Chairman of GTSC, emphasized the significance of this milestone and outlined efforts to ensure smooth implementation.
“GTC has plans to go into cooler services and delivery services. We also have plans to work with some partners in the field of agriculture, provided that they are willing to work with us. GTSC is like the master when it comes to maintaining this type of bus. So it will be profitable for other partners to purchase these buses and leave it with us to manage it for them,” Mr. Malang said.
He noted that while The Gambia is good at initiating new projects, maintenance often poses a challenge. However, GTSC has considered these factors before launching the TAAMO card. He assured that all technical and contingency plans are in place, positioning GTSC to transform the transportation sector in The Gambia.
“Every country is in competition, and you just have to make sure you are on top of your game to withstand the competition. The little Gambia In general, and the small GTSC in particular, have proved themselves all this while maintaining competitions both local and international. I can also agree more, that we are good at initiating and starting, but maintenance is always a problem, but all those factors have been considered before we launched, this “TAAMO card,” he added.
GTSC General Manager Seedy Kanyi highlighted that the TAAMO card will ensure accountability and eliminate revenue leakage, thus boosting their revenue-generation capacity.
“Additionally, the use of the TAAMO Card guarantees the safety of your funds in the event the Card is lost, stolen or damaged. Your funds will be fully refunded using the replacement card. If you think of traveling, Travel GTSC because it is safer and more secure, especially now that we are introducing the TAAMO Card if you are a regular user of the GTSC bus service either to work or on private business, owning this card will solve your nightmare traveling,” he highlighted.
He further expressed his deep appreciation to the government of the Gambia for their unflinching support of GTSC.
Hon. Ebrima Sillah, the Minister of Transportation, Works, and Infrastructure, remarked that the introduction of the TAAMO Travel Card aligns with the government’s approach to leveraging cutting-edge technologies in service delivery and governance.
The government has welcomed this innovative initiative and thanked GTSC for being a catalyst in this area.
“It is important to note that the Government has formulated policies and plans, to holistically address public transport challenges, especially in the urban areas through closer collaboration with multilateral agencies such as the World Bank to improve the sector,” he added.
He noted that the Gambia Transport Services Company is playing a significant role in the socio-economic development of the Gambia through the provision of reliable, safe, and affordable transportation services, with a current employee portfolio of about 600 people.
“Considering the significant role played by the GTSC, the Government of The Gambia has been supporting the Company over the past years to ensure that the perennial transport challenges as well as the associated problems in the country are adequately addressed. This has been manifested through the Government’s provision of duty exemption to the tune of more than 100 million Dalasi for the clearance of the Company’s recent fleets,” he said.
GTSC, a private limited company owned by Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation, was established on July 22, 2013. It offers safe, reliable, and affordable transportation services to the nation and sub-regional countries. GTSC boasts one of the largest infrastructures in the country’s transportation industry, with well-organized offices and support depots in Kanifing, Essau, Soma, Basse, Brikama, and Farafenni.