Senegal inaugurates solar powered all-electric rapid transit bus network
CHINESE-BUILT, ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY BRT
Senegal has launched sub-Saharan Africa’s first all-electric, Chinese built Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network in the capital of Dakar.
Senegalese president Macky Sall inaugurated the BRT on January 14 2024. The 100% electric bus network is intended to transform mobility in the congested metropolis.
The Dakar BRT project, boasting a total length of 18.3 km with 23 bus stations and three hub transfer stations, was constructed by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC). The all-electric buses for this project are provided by China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation. The 120 electric buses will be powered by solar energy.
The Dakar BRT represents a sustainable alternative to diesel-powered transportation. The system is projected to curtail emissions by 59,000 tons of CO2 equivalent annually.
It is the first all-electric BRT bus network in sub-Saharan Africa. It will serve 14 municipalities in Dakar from north to south. These high-capacity buses, which can accommodate around 150 passengers, will transport around 300,000 people per day.
The implementation of the BRT network is expected to significantly reduce travel times, with journeys now taking 45 minutes instead of the previous 90 minutes for the same route. The relief from traffic congestion is not only a boon for the city’s 3.8 million residents but also aligns with the environmental objectives of the West African nation.
Sources:
- Further Africa, January 22, 2024. https://furtherafrica.com/…/senegal-inaugurates-e-bus…/
- Xinhua, 28 Dec 2023. https://english.news.cn/…/abac478a50d0456bb01dec…/c.html
- Fatshimetrie, 15 January 2024. https://eng.fatshimetrie.org/…/dakar-inaugurates-a…/