Freetown Cable Car to Serve 6,000 Passengers Hourly – Mayor Akie-Sawyerr
The Freetown City Council (FCC), in partnership with the C40 Cities Finance Facility, has completed a feasibility study for a $92 million cable car network aimed at transforming urban transportation. Mayor Yvonne Akie-Sawyerr announced the project at a press briefing on November 26, 2024, highlighting its capacity to serve 6,000 passengers per hour.
The 3.6-kilometer system will feature four stations—Eastend route (pilot), Mountain route, Western route, and Mountain route extension—connecting hillside communities to the central business district. Designed to reduce congestion and reliance on informal transport, the project also promises environmental benefits, including a 31% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and improved air quality.
Mayor Akie-Sawyerr emphasized the project’s socio-economic impact, noting the creation of 2,200 construction jobs and 70 permanent roles. She also linked the initiative to addressing urban challenges like flooding, deforestation, and unemployment, especially in the city’s 82 informal settlements.
The feasibility report has been submitted to Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh for review, and funding discussions are underway. A cable car manufacturer has expressed interest in covering 50% of the budget through its government.
This transformative project aims to provide Freetown residents with a fast, safe, and eco-friendly transport system, improving economic opportunities and urban sustainability.
