Faraba-Bound: UTG Students Fear More Transport Struggles as New Semester Begins

By Ebrima Mbaye

As the University of The Gambia prepares for the resumption of a new semester, students at the Faraba Banta Campus fear that the transportation challenges experienced during previous semesters could continue or worsen.

Students say long queues, overcrowded buses, limited vehicles and delays have made commuting to the campus a recurring struggle, with some leaving home as early as 4 a.m. to secure a place on buses heading to Faraba.

For students like Ousman Jawara of the Faculty of Law, the problem extends beyond inconvenience.

“It affects effective lectures, which ultimately impacts the overall academic performance of us as students,” he said.

Momodou Lamin Manjang, a student from the School of Business and Public Administration, believes the situation requires early intervention and better coordination between the University, transport providers and student representatives.

“My perception is that if proper arrangements are not made before the semester fully begins, students may once again face long waiting times, overcrowded buses, delays, and difficulties attending lectures on time,” Manjang said.

For Yusupha Badjie, a student from the School of Arts and Sciences, the struggle has become part of his daily routine.

“The transportation system to Faraba isn’t really something to be excited about or happy about,” Badjie said. “Most of the time when going in the morning, I’ll have to wake up early just to get to the bus stop and find out there’s no bus, or rather I’ll end up standing at the bus stop till I get to Faraba.”

Despite his experience, Badjie remains hopeful that the newly elected Students’ Union Council can help bring meaningful changes to the situation.

The concern is shared by Simeon Thomas, a student from the Faculty of Law, who says unreliable transportation can directly affect students’ attendance and punctuality.

“For me and countless other students who rise before dawn, battle overcrowded buses, and arrive at Faraba already exhausted before a single lecture has even begun,” he said.

With the new semester fast approaching, students are now looking to the new Students’ Union Council, particularly the Ministry of Technical and Logistics, to push for practical and lasting solutions.

However, the Technical and Logistics Minister, Ebrima Susso, has not responded to phone calls and text messages seeking comments for this story.