By Saidu Jalloh, D.S. Reporter
The Government of Sierra Leone has launched an innovative cashless payment system for the Waka Fine buses, aimed at enhancing the convenience and efficiency of public transportation in Freetown.
Passengers can now use a Waka Fine card to pay for their fares, a significant step intended to reduce cash transactions and streamline the boarding experience. The card, available for NLe 30 at any bus terminal, allows passengers to tap it on a digital payment machine to complete their fare payment, eliminating the need for cash.
The rollout follows an earlier announcement by Rex Bonapha, Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation, who detailed the pitfalls of cash transactions at a Ministry press briefing held at the Miatta Conference Centre. Bonapha noted that the cashless system aims to resolve common passenger issues, such as conductors not returning change, while also addressing petty financial misconduct and improving overall service efficiency.
This initiative is a joint effort with Metro Transport Company Limited (MTCL), which operates the Waka Fine buses and includes various transport stakeholders. “Our goal is to enhance transparency, convenience, and efficiency within the transport sector,” Bonapha stated, clarifying that, although the buses are privately owned, the Ministry is collaborating closely with MTCL to ensure a successful implementation of the new system.
The cashless payment project is part of the World Bank-funded Integrated Urban Mobility Project, which is designed to modernize and improve public transport throughout Sierra Leone. The introduction of digital payment options represents a significant movement towards modernizing urban transportation in the country and reducing reliance on cash.
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