Transport Thematic Group Event
Hybrid: MC-4-300 with Webex connections
On January 14, 2024, a large celebration took place in Dakar, Senegal, with the presence of the President of the country: the inauguration of the 18.3-km new electric bus rapid transit across the city. The project represented the first of its kind (electric) for Africa and a major collaborative effort of the World Bank IDA, IFC, the European Investment Bank, and the government counterparts. While the combined development assistance amounted to 370 million USD from, 85 million USD from EIB, the project also brought about 147million USD equivalent of private sector financing when its operation and management over the next 15 years was awarded to a consortium led by Meridiam and Keolis (one of the Major European public transport operators). The project was approved by the World Bank Board of Directors on May 25, 2017. Once the IDA credit became effective, it took about six years to be implemented, a remarkable feat given the complexity of habilitating the corridor across the urban area for the requirements of BRT operations, the ancillary facilities for non-motorized transport, and greening features. The complex social and environmental challenges were addressed with a sustained collaboration among the different partners and the proactive approach adopted by the implementing agency: the Conseil Executif des Transports Urbains Durables (CETUD). The project includes major investments on cycling and pedestrian facilities along the corridor. With Dakar’s high pollution levels and major congestion, the project is expected to address air-related health issues, reduce traffic jams and crashes, and substantially facilitate access to the city’s health and education centers. See here Five reasons to get excited about the Bus Rapid Transit in Dakar, Senegal (worldbank.org) the blog issued by the Vice-presidents for West and Central Africa, Infrastructure, and IFC’s Africa ahead of the inauguration of the project.
On Tuesday, March 5th, at 10:30 am, Mr. Franck Taillandier, Lead Transport Specialist at the World Bank’s Transport Unit for West Africa and Task Team Leader of the project (alongside Papa Modou Ndiaye and Fatima Arroyo Arroyo, Senior Transport Specialists and co-TTLs), has kindly accepted our invitation to join our hybrid event and present to us the challenges and features of the Dakar BRT Project and what it would mean for the urban mobility agenda in Africa. Before being appointed to his current position, and since he joined the Bank in 2015, Franck was a Senior Urban Transport Specialist in West Africa and the Global Transport Unit, in charge of several urban transport or railway projects and also co-responsible for the organization of the Transforming Transportation events. Before joining the World Bank and for about 6 years, Franck was the Deputy Executive Director of the “Conseil General des Bouches du Rhone,” being responsible for the implementation of public policies and investment programs in France’s “Bouche du Rhone” Region (including the Marseille metropolitan area) and more specifically those related to road and port infrastructures, transport services, and public-private partnerships in the transport sector. Between 2005 and 2008, Franck was the Head of Transport and Mobility Services of the Regional Directorate of Infrastructure of Provence Alpe Cote d’Azur (France). From September 2002 to August 2005, Franck worked at the French Mapping Agency (Institute Geographic National). Franck has a Ph.D. in Mathematics and Computer Science from the Ecole Polytechnique in Paris, and a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from the Pierre and Marie Curie University also in Paris, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Mathematics, and General Management from the Ecole Polytechnique.
Please RSVP, if you plan to attend in person.
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Venue: MC4-300
Webex connections details:
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On March 5th, you can directly join the session by using the link below:
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Join by browser/meeting number:
Meeting number: 2307 289 6211
Password: Society1818
Join by phone:
1-650-479-3207 Call-in number (US/Canada)
Access code: 2307 289 6211
Global call-in numbers
