By Fatou Jasseh
The Gambia Transport Service Company says it will deploy more than 70 buses daily ahead of the Tobaski holiday to meet the expected surge in passenger movement to provincial towns and villages across the country.
The announcement was made by Amadou Drammeh during an appearance on QTV’s This Morning programme on Tuesday.
According to Mr. Drammeh, the increase represents a major expansion from the company’s normal daily operations as thousands of Gambians prepare to travel upcountry to celebrate Tobaski with relatives and loved ones.
“Everybody would want to go to their respective villages — villages where they have their mothers, family, and siblings that they want to share this festive period with, most particularly Tobaski,” he said.
He noted that GTSC continues to witness growing passenger demand each year due to what he described as the company’s reliability, structured transport system, and affordable fares.
“We have given them that track record that when they come, their travel is assured. So every year we see people come, and the number is always on the increase,” he added.
Mr. Drammeh explained that GTSC usually operates around 20 buses on major routes such as the South Bank corridor, but an additional 50 buses would now be deployed to handle the holiday traffic.
To address safety concerns often associated with festive travel periods, he said the company has intensified technical inspections on all vehicles before deployment. “An organized transport company would have a schedule and roster.
The crew would be there, the buses would be available, and when the time is up, we leave,” he said.
He further disclosed that GTSC has introduced additional 30-minute departures between regular hourly trips to reduce congestion and waiting times for passengers.
Mr Drammeh assured travelers that the company remains committed to providing safe, reliable, and affordable transportation services throughout the Tobaski season.
