New Buses from China Flood Tunisian Roads, but Problems Remain Unaddressed
For several months, hundreds of new buses from China have been arriving in Tunisia, sparking joy and relief among the population. The media has played a significant role in highlighting this development, creating a sense of propaganda around the issue. However, this has also raised high expectations among Tunisians.
The Press - In a single shipment, dozens of vehicles were delivered to regional transportation companies and the SNTRI (Société Nationale des Transports de Tunisie), including standard buses, articulated buses, and minibuses. This is unprecedented, according to agents and users of these companies.
Ordering the House
Several shipments have brought in over 400 vehicles, with another order of 461 new buses expected to be confirmed by the end of the year.
However, once the initial euphoria has passed, it's time to address the real problems that have been plaguing the transportation sector. Have the new buses improved the quality of services offered? The answer is not the same for all companies.
The Real Issues
The main problems lie with Transtu, which has failed to shake off old habits that continue to hinder its operations and poison the daily lives of hundreds of thousands of users. This has been exposed through TV reports and various media outlets.
Citizens are unanimous in saying that nothing has changed, and in some cases, the situation has worsened. The national TV station has repeatedly highlighted the complaints of Transtu clients, including long waiting times, irregular frequencies, and the non-reinstatement of canceled lines.
A Lack of Coordination
Until now, users have been unable to understand what's happening at Transtu. They wonder if there's a pilot in the cockpit, if there are responsible officials who can react quickly and effectively to address each problem.
This raises questions about the efficiency of the teams and officials in place. Is there coordination between different teams (station managers, district managers, etc.)? Are there regular briefings or meetings to evaluate the sector's performance?
The Facts Speak for Themselves
It seems that the facts are going in the wrong direction. The client's voice is no longer a concern, despite the fact that they have much to teach the officials. If there's no way to listen to the client, then it's time to go back to the old methods, such as complaint boxes in stations.
Focusing on the Present
There are many questions that deserve answers, but it's not our intention to lecture the sector's officials on how to do their job.
Instead of repeating promises about future acquisitions of new metro cars and wagons, it would be better to focus on the present situation. There have been too many promises that have not been kept, and no one has apologized or provided convincing explanations for these failures.
Where Are the Promises?
Where are the official promises made in 2025 to guarantee services that respect clients, with average waiting times of no more than 15 minutes for buses and metro? Where are the vehicles that need to be repaired and put back into service?
It's time for officials to stop making promises they can't keep and to focus on the current situation and available resources.
