Bensouda Sounds Alarm as Transport Chaos Erupts Today Over Fare Hikes
Share your love
A major transport disruption unfolded today in the Greater Banjul Area as tensions between commuters and taxi drivers escalated into a standoff at Westfield Garage over sudden fare increases.
Passengers reportedly refused to pay the new fares, while drivers declined to move, bringing transport services to a halt. The situation quickly drew police intervention, with reports indicating that some drivers had their documents confiscated, further heightening tensions on the ground.
Reacting to the incident, Talib Ahmed Bensouda, Mayor of the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC), described the development as a warning sign of a transport system under serious strain.
Bensouda pointed to deeper structural challenges, including the country’s reliance on imported fuel, lack of subsidies, and absence of a regulated fare system, as key drivers of the crisis. He noted that both drivers and commuters are victims of the same economic pressures.
He called for urgent dialogue between authorities and transport unions, warning that without immediate intervention, the situation could escalate further.
Today’s standoff highlights growing frustration among Gambians as rising transport costs add to the burden of an already difficult economic climate.
