By Ramatoulie Jawo
The Gambia Transport Service Company (GTSC) convened a press conference on Tuesday to update the public on their recently signed Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) with Dakar Dem Dikk.
Earlier this month, GTSC and Dakar Dem Dikk officiel formalized their commitment to bolster collaborative trade and industrial partnerships between The Gambia and Senegal. The primary focus of the MOU is to enhance services and connectivity along the Banjul-Dakar route.
During the media briefing, the General Manager of GTSC, Mr. Seedy Kanyi, provided an overview of the MOU and its implications. He revealed plans to double the service coverage on the Banjul-Dakar corridor, increasing the daily buses from two to four in each direction.
“So the Memorandum of Understanding we signed will lead to an expansion of our services along the Banjul-Dakar corridor, where we will double service coverage on that corridor. Currently, I am sure everybody knows that we are doing two buses per day and per direction. But with the MOU signed, it will lead to four buses per day and per direction.
Mr. Kanyi emphasized that this expansion is a response to the high demand for their services on the corridor. He assured that the increased frequency would address the current challenge of seat availability, providing more flexibility for travelers.
“That is four buses from Banjul daily and four buses from Dakar daily at different times. This is as a result of our reaction to the high demand for our services on that corridor at the moment. If you want to go to Dakar or come from Dakar, if you don’t book at least two or three days before your planned departure date, most likely you can’t get a seat, but with this expansion, you are assured of at least the availability of seats just a few hours before departure, so that is very pleasant information,” he said.
This MOU marks the third collaboration between GTSC and Dakar Dem Dikk, with previous agreements signed in 2017 and 2021. Mr. Kanyi highlighted the numerous benefits the MOU brings, including fostering trade and cultural ties between the two nations.
Additionally, Mr. Kanyi announced GTSC’s upcoming initiatives to enhance the travel experience. He unveiled plans to introduce a smart travel card named “Taamoo,” scheduled for launch by the end of November. The card, coupled with specialized software, aims to facilitate cashless transactions and modernize the travel process.
“We are planning to revolutionize our travel by further modernizing it and also going more digital. I am happy to inform the media that very soon, by the end of November, we will launch what we call a smart travel card. Locally, we have named it the “Taamoo” card. It is together with the software we are developing with this smart card, It will be cashless handling,” he unveiled.
Encouraging the public to embrace this innovation, Mr. Kanyi emphasized the manifold benefits it would offer. He expressed the company’s commitment to revolutionizing travel through digital advancements.
Further underscoring the commitment to service excellence, Mr. Fabuka FaNjaay, Director of Corporate Affairs at the Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation, reiterated their dedication to providing safe and affordable services to The Gambia and beyond.
Established on July 22, 2013, as a private limited company, GTSC plays a pivotal role in offering safe, reliable, and affordable transportation services to the nation and neighboring countries. With a robust infrastructure, GTSC has strategically positioned offices and support depots in key locations such as Kanifing, Essau, Soma, Basse, Brikama, and Farafenni.