Dakar: SunuBRT Pousse-Pousse Charrettes Fourrière Becomes Systematic

• Dakar's SunuBRT system connects the city center to Guédiawaye via an 18.3 km dedicated corridor, operated by Dakar Mobilité under CETUD.
• A prefectural decree from July 26, 2024, prohibits `pousse-pousse` and `charrettes` in the SunuBRT's zone of influence.
• Starting January 5, 2026, these informal vehicles will face systematic impoundment (`mise en fourrière systématique`) due to persistent infractions causing disruptions.
• The electric bus network features 23 stations, offers various fare options including social tariffs for eligible groups, and provides multiple ticket purchase and payment methods.
• The system prioritizes accessibility for persons with reduced mobility, with reserved seating and accessible stations and vehicles.

Effective January 5, 2026, a systematic impoundment will be implemented for pousse-pousse and charrettes operating in the zone of influence surrounding the dedicated BRT corridor.

The Prefect of Dakar department has announced a significant enforcement measure targeting informal transport within the SunuBRT network's operational area. Effective January 5, 2026, a systematic impoundment (`mise en fourrière systématique`) will be implemented for `pousse-pousse` and `charrettes` operating in the zone of influence surrounding the dedicated BRT corridor. This decisive action follows a prior prohibition on their circulation, established by an `arrêté préfectoral Dakar 26 juillet 2024`.

This `interdiction circulation pousse-pousse Dakar` was enacted to safeguard the efficiency and safety of the new public transport system. Despite the decree, persistent infractions by these informal vehicles have led to considerable disruptions within the `règlementation SunuBRT zone d'influence`. The upcoming impoundment aims to address these ongoing challenges, ensuring the smooth operation of the SunuBRT system.

Dakar's SunuBRT system provides a vital public transport link, connecting the city center with Guédiawaye via a dedicated 18.3-kilometer corridor. Operated by Dakar Mobilité under the oversight of the CETUD, the network utilizes electric buses capable of accommodating up to 150 passengers. This modern infrastructure is designed to enhance urban mobility across the capital.

The BRT route spans from Petersen, also known as Papa Gueye Fall, to the Guédiawaye Prefecture, traversing key urban areas including Grand Dakar, Liberté, Grand Yoff, and Parcelles Assainies. The network features 23 stations in total, with 21 of these served by the primary B1 line. The B1 line operates daily from 6 AM to 9 PM, offering frequent service with buses passing every six minutes from Monday to Saturday. On Sundays and public holidays, the frequency adjusts to a ten-minute interval between 6 AM and 11 AM, then seven minutes until 9 PM. Additional lines, B2 and B3, complement the service; B2 connects Guédiawaye to Petersen with fewer stops, while B3 runs during peak hours from Monday to Friday.

The SunuBRT system employs a tiered fare structure based on travel zones. A journey entirely within a single zone costs 400 FCFA, while trips crossing one or two zone boundaries are priced at 500 FCFA, serving as the all-zone fare. Various payment methods are available, including QR code and contactless tickets sold at station counters, with payments accepted in cash or via mobile money. Three commercial agencies located at the Guédiawaye, Grand Médine, and Petersen exchange hubs facilitate ticket sales and recharges daily from 6 AM to 9 PM. Furthermore, the SunuBRT application allows passengers to purchase QR code tickets on their smartphones and access schedule or itinerary information. Tickets must be validated upon entry and exit, and retained throughout the journey for potential checks or incidents, as no tickets are sold aboard the buses.

The network also offers several accessibility and social tariff provisions. Children under four years old travel free when accompanied, and individuals under 25 can access a monthly youth subscription by presenting identification at a commercial agency. Since September 7, 2026, a 50% fare reduction is available for eligible individuals under a social tariff program. This includes beneficiaries listed in the National Unique Register, persons with disabilities holding a Carte d’égalité des chances, students under 25, children under 15, unemployed individuals, female heads of household, and persons aged 60 or older. Applications for these reduced fares are submitted online with required documentation, with responses delivered via SMS or WhatsApp, and successful applicants receiving a one-year valid card. The entire system, including stations and vehicles, is designed to be accessible for persons with reduced mobility, with reserved seating also provided for the elderly, pregnant women, and travelers with young children. For safety and operational reasons, bicycles are not permitted on buses, and rollers worn on feet are prohibited throughout the network. An assistance number, 33 859 47 20, is available for passenger inquiries.

The stringent measures concerning `pousse-pousse` and `charrettes` underscore the commitment of `Dakar Mobilité` and `CETUD` to maintaining the integrity and efficiency of the SunuBRT's dedicated corridor. The `règlementation SunuBRT zone d'influence` is critical for ensuring that the electric buses can operate without obstruction, delivering reliable service to up to 150 passengers per vehicle. The decision to implement `sanctions transport` through systematic impoundment directly addresses the persistent infractions that have previously caused significant disruptions, thereby reinforcing the operational rules for this vital public transport infrastructure.

Lawyers and compliance officers advising clients involved in local transport, logistics, or businesses operating in Dakar's SunuBRT zone must be aware of the systematic impoundment of pousse-pousse and charrettes effective January 5, 2026. This enforcement, based on the prefectural decree of July 26, 2024, creates a significant compliance risk and necessitates advising clients on adjusting operations to avoid penalties and vehicle seizures.

Source: Reporting based on local transport authority announcements.