By B. Linus Flomo
The National Transit Authority (NTA) has made a significant leap in enhancing Liberia’s public transportation system with the recent arrival of new spare parts for its fleet of buses.
This development comes amid increasing scrutiny over the operational status of the NTA’s vehicles and the overall effectiveness of its management.
In a bid to restore public confidence and improve service delivery, the NTA management has committed to expediting the repair process.
Mechanics will work around the clock in three shifts to bring dozens of out-of-service buses back on the road and this initiative revealed during a recent program, aims to boost the fleet’s functionality and improve public transport availability across the nation.
The NTA plans to conduct comprehensive assessments of all its routes in the coming weeks. This evaluation will help determine the suitability of these routes for bus operations, a crucial step for optimizing service delivery and ensuring reliable transportation access for citizens.
The management of NTA highlighted the importance of these measures, noting that they are critical to addressing the significant transportation challenges faced by many Liberians.
The NTA has also been under fire in recent months, particularly following the donation of 45 buses from the Government of India, of which only a fraction are currently operational.
Despite the positive strides in repairs and spare parts acquisition, the NTA continues to face questions regarding its financial management and operational sustainability.
Recent Senate hearings have spotlighted concerns over the authority’s handling of funds, including a US$2.1 million allocation from the national budget, and the lack of transparency in its contracts and procurement processes.
As the NTA works to address these challenges, public attention remains focused on how effectively it can utilize its resources to improve the nation’s public transportation infrastructure.
