From 1991 through 1993, Sotra (Societe des Transports Abidjanais) was facing a severe crisis with the critical stage reached in 1993. The company's survival was seriously threatened by the crisis. Over 60% of its fleet more than 12 years old were immobilized. The turnover could no longer insure coverage of either current expenses or the minimum investment required for the company to continue its normal activities. Because of this critical situation, an emergency plan was designed in order to keep Sotra out of bankruptcy. The key points in the plan are: (1) stabilizing and increasing the number of buses; (2) reducing operating costs; (3) reducing personnel costs; (4) increasing existing fares; (5) financial restructuring; and (6) restructuring the urban transportation network with a reduction of the Sotra area of activity. (A) The English title of the paper is: "Experience of the recovery of an urban mass transport company in Sub-Saharan Africa : case study of Sotra in Abidjan."
Abstract