Benin proposes electric buses for commuters
The government is considering a new public transport system to reduce travel costs for citizens.
Millions of Beninese citizens face high daily travel expenses due to the lack of a structured public transport system. The current informal sector, relying on motorcycles and modified minibuses, has led to increased road accidents and pollution. President WADAGNI's government is exploring a political choice to implement a new public transport solution.
The proposal focuses on a network of electric buses, starting with the densely populated corridor between Cotonou and Abomey-Calavi. This initiative aims to provide a more affordable and efficient mobility option, drawing lessons from successful public transport models in Dakar and Abidjan. These cities demonstrate that state support is essential for public transport viability.
The government views subsidizing public transport as a social investment, treating mobility as a right rather than a privilege. This move acknowledges the economic reality that public transport systems, like those in Paris and London, often require partial state funding to operate effectively and offer economies of scale.
Why it mattersBeninese citizens with modest incomes will benefit from reduced daily travel costs.