The
Gambia Transport Service Company (GTSC) has added a fleet of five new buses to
its vehicles plying the length and breadth of this country, all in an effort to
providing standard transport services for the general public.
The addition of these Ashok Leyland buses is expected to beef up the transportation services being provided by the GTSC, even at an affordable cost to the masses ofpeople in this country.
“The vehicles are all fitted with modern facilities like air conditioners, fans, seat belts, curtain rails, fire extinguishers, speakers, etc. to ensure a comfortable and safe environment for customers,” the company stated in a recent press release.
But what fascinates us more is the set standard of operation the company says it has been applying and will continue to apply in discharging its services to the people of this country.
Chief among them is the reasonableness in its fares compared with those of private commercial vehicles.
“The company continues to play instrumental roles in making transportation more affordable for Gambians, especially at a time when private transporters continue to raise fares to a level that many travelers deem unreasonable,” the press release added.
The company also hails itself for how dedicated it is to handling lost or forgotten baggage on its buses.
“Prior to boarding the buses, all luggage are tagged with the customers’ name, destination and contact details. In case a baggage is forgotten on the vehicle, customers are immediately contacted to collect their belonging at anytime....The company remains patient to safely keep some belongings for over a year.”
It also says officers “are always on the ground at the bus depots to ensure timely departure of services”, and to also chat and interact with customers.
We are also told that the GTSC will ensure that the travel needs of its customers are met in “the most affordable and convenient” way, and it “will continue to expand its services” to meet the needs and requirements of its “prestige” customers.
Another commitment made by the GTSC is that its buses will be plying our roads seven days a week as people from all walks of life continue to utilize the service.
We would, therefere, like to congratulate the board and management of GTSC and all its financiers for working hard to meet the transport and travelling needs of the people of this country.
As it rightly stated in its press release, the company plays instrumental roles in making transportation more affordable for Gambians.
It will be, therefore, good if the company should live by its words.
Furthermore, more buses should be provided to ply within the urban areas to ease the vehicle constraints being experienced by people in these areas, especialy between Brikama-Banjul and Tabakoto-Banjul routes.
“There can be no doubt that the transportation sector is the most critical sector of our economy.”
Robert Brady
