Liberia - Women in Monrovia Call for Safer Public Transport

The Bush Chicken: "“For women and girls worldwide, the freedom to move safely around cities is greatly restricted, whether by gender-blind planning and design of transport infrastructure or by social and cultural norms that tolerate violence towards women,” the report said. “Poor street lighting, a lack of buses and stops, all-male transport staff, lack of public toilets, and inadequate policing has created an environment where sexual violence against women in the city can thrive.”

In Liberia, the report was launched by the minister of gender, children and social protection, Julia Duncan Cassell, along with ActionAid Liberia interim country director, Lakshmi Moore, who said the launch of the report marks the beginning of series of dialogues among citizens, stakeholders, and policymakers on how the recommendations can be used in the Liberian context."

Kenya: Economic Opportunities Can Double If Nairobians Use Public Transport, WB Says

allAfrica.com: "Nairobi — A new policy research working paper by the World Bank indicates that economic opportunities in Nairobi can double within an hour when commuters travel by foot or use public transport."

Fuel subsidy created false growth, now #degrowth is harsh

Al Jazeera: "Sudanese police forces have fired tear gas at about 300 Sudanese protesters demonstrating against a government decision to cut fuel subsidies."

CPP promises PWDs free education, health care, public transport

Ghana News: "“We will ensure that even public transportation would be made progressively free for all Persons with Disabilities.”
The CPP Presidential candidate disclosed the party’s intention to set up a special fund to cater for the basic needs of Persons with Disabilities."

Cars choking Accra, Ghana

The Guardian: "“I’m in trouble if I leave my house around 6 or 6.30am,” Ampofo says. “I then won’t arrive at work until nine or 10am, and that creates a lot of problems with my manager because I’m supposed to get there by eight. If the government doesn’t do anything about the traffic, it’s not going to get any easier …”"

photo getty

100 additional buses for Addis Ababa, more improvements called for

Walta Information Center: " Employees and a shareholder of the Alliance Bus Group said the newly-formed cabinet should give attention to modernizing the city's transport system and addressing challenges witnessed in the sector.

They told ENA the above at the delivery ceremony of 100 buses imported duty-free today.

A shareholder of Alliance Bus Group, Tamiru Berhanu said the newly formed cabinet needs to give priority to providing a modern transport system that satisfies the development of the city.

He noted that addressing public transport problems should be given attention as it deeply affects the lives of Addis Ababans."

Accra - Ayaalolo buses to give public free ride for 5 days

ghanaweb : "Beginning from Monday, September 26 to 30, 2016, the general public will enjoy free transport services from the newly introduced ‘Ayaalolo’ buses, a Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) service introduced by the Greater Accra Passenger Transport Executive (GAPTE)."

Rwanda: Privatized #publictransport a disaster, police recommend more corporate mission statements (not a joke)

allAfrica.com: "CP Rumanzi said accidents were caused by reckless driving, wrong maneuvers, violation of right of way, speeding, use of cell phones while driving and wrong overtaking, among others.
...He also challenged them to set company missions, visions and values.

"Strategic planning and effective administration will improve your business and check road accidents.""

Cosatu decries state of public transport in Cape Town

ewn.co.za: "CAPE TOWN - The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) has handed over a memorandum to key role players, including Metrorail’s Richard Walke, demanding improved public transport."

Nairobi traffic doubles every six years

The Guardian: "We could easily be in Cairo, Lagos or another African megacity, but this is the eight-lane Mombasa Road in Kenya’s capital – a permanently clogged artery in a metropolis where the number of vehicles doubles every six years."

Car emissions draining Nairobi economy

Standard Digital News: "In Nairobi, for instance, vehicular emissions are estimated to contribute close to 40 per cent of urban air pollution. The economic loss arising from vehicle emission-related illnesses and deaths is estimated at Sh115 billion per year (University of Nairobi, 2012). The figure could be higher. With the knowledge that deaths resulting from such pollutions can be prevented, the big question remains how?"

Ethiopia: Bureau to Offer Free Public Transport Service for Teachers

allAfrica.com: "The Bureau has signed an agreement with the Addis Ababa City Administration Transport Authority and made official that the Anbessa City Bus and Public Servant Transport Services Enterprise shall be delivered for free since May 9, 2016.

Social Sector Cluster Coordinator with a Rank of Deputy Mayor and Addis Ababa City Administration Education Bureau Head Delamo Otore said that the agreement is vital to ease the challenges faced by teachers due to lack of transportation."

Tanzanian teachers get free travel in Dar es Salaam

BBC News: "Teachers in parts of Tanzania's capital Dar es Salaam are being given free transport to and from their schools.
Kinondoni District Commissioner Paul Makonda said he hopes to expand the scheme across the entire city."

9 Billion Barrels Of Crude At Risk In Massive Nigerian Oil Shakeup

OilPrice.com: "There has been a lot of talk about going on the offensive against corruption in the Nigerian oil industry for years, but it’s mostly been the empty talk of campaign promises. This time around, the new president, elected in March 2015, has shown a drive that threatens to bring down anyone connected to the oil business under the previous government. So far, he’s made good on his campaign promises, much to the demise of the industry."

Kenya: Competition in #publictransport results in suffering for the people

allAfrica.com: "Today, the National Transport and Safety Authority will be launching a crackdown against public service vehicles that have failed to comply with regulations, including on noise pollution."

Cosas wants free transport for pupils

Sowetan LIVE: "He said the government would set a good example by allowing pupils to use trains for free when going to school.

"We have a problem with a South African government that wants to give students free train tickets for soccer matches but is reluctant to give them free train tickets to go to school," he said."

Africa the new frontier for #autosprawl

Massive road and rail projects could be Africa’s greatest environmental challenge: "In total, we have identified 33 massive “development corridors” that are being proposed or are underway. At the heart of each corridor is a road or railroad, sometimes accompanied by a pipeline or power line."

PE taxi bosses demand city launches public transport system

Times LIVE: "Laphum’ilanga Transport Services‚ which represents the taxi industry‚ has vowed to pursue all its options – including possible legal action against the municipality – to compel the city to start the integrated public transport system (IPTS) project."

Ghana Govt imports 200 buses for public transport

Business News 2015-11-19: "“We lack an effective public transport. In every city that I have travelled to abroad, there is a private transport provided by taxi drivers, mini buses and all that, but there is also public transport. So, we are introducing a new bus system."

Must Read: Blistering condemnation of South Africa #publictransit

BDlive: "The 2013 National Travel Survey showed commuters using public transport were spending on average more than 30% of their income on transport. This is totally unacceptable considering that half of all workers still earn below R3,033 a month. The same survey also pointed out that 6-million breadwinners were stranded because they could not afford any form of transport."

Traffic is Growing Problem in Africa

voa: "JOHANNESBURG—
As the African continent rapidly urbanizes, cities are swelling into megacities and a new problem is rearing its ugly head: traffic."

Exploitation of west Africa oil for western #sprawl provides fertile ground for #islamicstate

Islamic State soldiers in western Africa chase away government tanks on foot. Years of western exploitation have provided fertile soil for growth of extremism in western Africa.

Ethiopia: Poor Public Transport Impacts Economy

allAfrica.com : "According to the research, the increase in transportation cost, long queues of commuters waiting for busses/taxis, unnecessary conflicts with minibus assistants, robbery and physical damage, poor quality service, poor treatment of people with disability, the elderly, pregnant women and children and others were cited as serious problems.

The social and economic impact of problems emanating from poor public transport service was also emphasized in the research.

According to the research, poor public transport has a direct impact on economic performance of a given country for it affects workers industriousness."

Public transport is the way forward - Joburg mayor

News24 : "Parks Tau said public transport should be the backbone for urban mobility and city leaders should commit to urban space for all.

He hailed the first week of the festival as a success, adding eco-mobility was a way forward for climate change.  

He said while a positive relationship was fostered with the taxi industry, citizens should consider the broad spectrum of public transport available."

Stuck in traffic? You are the traffic

ENS: "JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, October 7, 2015 (ENS) – “When people complain that they are stuck in traffic, we tell them that they are, in fact, the traffic,” Johannesburg Mayor Parks Tau said in Sandton on Sunday."

Capetown, South Africa, workers demand better public transport

News24: "Cape Town - Hundreds of workers from various unions across the country have taken to the streets of Cape Town to march to Parliament for workers' rights.
...Cosatu provincial secretary Tony Ehrenreich told News24 that the national trade union is marching for better job protection, as well as a better public transport system."

'South Africans need reliable & safe public transport'

ewn : "“The first thing our people complain about when you meet them in the trains is reliability. Second, are issues of security. If people are not going to feel safe they are going to vote with their feet and take a transport mode of their choice that they feel will keep them safe.”"