Monday July 29, 2024, a wind of panic blows through the streets of Kinshasa, the bustling capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Residents find themselves trapped in an unexpected situation: the lack of public transportation. A surreal scene takes place at the bus stops, there are numerous users, but no vehicle shows up. Buses and taxi-buses seem to have deserted the streets, leaving behind a perplexed and disoriented population.
At the origin of this chaos, a drivers’ strike is looming. The reasons for this social movement remain unclear, with the actors in the conflict remaining silent. However, the consequences are being felt hard for the citizens of Kinshasa. Not only facing the lack of public transportation that day, they also have to deal with a gradual decrease in state buses in the capital.
This worrying situation highlights the challenges facing large African metropolises in terms of urban mobility. Kinshasa, a sprawling city in constant excitement, is suddenly paralyzed by the absence of means of transport accessible to the population. The consequences of this dysfunction are multiple: delays to work, overcrowding at stops, increased stress for users.
Faced with this transport crisis, the urgency of a solution is felt. Local authorities and transport sector stakeholders must come together to find concrete answers to this recurring problem. It is essential to invest in suitable infrastructure, strengthen the quality of public transport services and guarantee equitable access to mobility for all citizens.
In conclusion, the lack of buses and taxi-buses in Kinshasa on July 29, 2024 underlines the crucial importance of public transport in the harmonious functioning of cities. This emergency situation calls for in-depth reflection on the challenges of urban mobility in Africa and the need to put in place effective policies to guarantee the fluidity of citizens’ movements.