Permanent Secretary, Prime Minister's Office, Regional Administration and Local Government, Jumanne Sagini
It is expected that the BRT system will start by January 10, next year.
The assurance came during a tour of the Permanent Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office, Regional Administration and Local Government, Jumanne Sagini to inspect the buses that will offer transportation services.
Few days ago, Prime Minister, Kassim Majaliwa called for a speedy implementation of the project.
“We wanted to satisfy ourselves if the buses are ready to offer the service,” Sagini who led other government officials told journalists.
UDA-RT Company owns the 140 brand new articulated buses that will be used in the BRT system. The buses will use top-notch Information and Technology (IT) system in fare collection, information, entertainments and other services. There will also be special areas for disabled and elders.
“The Prime Minister’s directives should be implemented as soon as possible,” Sagini told UDA-RT officials.
The chairperson, UDA-RT, Robert Kisena urged citizens to take care of the buses once operations start.
“Dar es Salaam dwellers and drivers of the buses will have to take care of the buses once we start operations,” he said.
He noted that destroying the buses will be self defeating because the service is meant to facilitate transportation in the country’s commercial city.
He noted that installation of gadgets to be used in the buses has started and was ongoing for the rest of the buses.
The spokesperson of UDA-RT, Said Mabruk said all required buses needed in the interim service were already in the country and that it was his hope that the new transportation system will commence on time.
The drivers who will operate the buses have already been trained.
Also, the project’s contractor is finalising the infrastructure needed, especially bus stations and terminals, on time.
The BRT project includes construction of 20.9 kilometre special trunk road from Kimara terminal to Kivukoni area, Msimbazi road from Fire to Kariakoo-Gerezani area and a part of Kawawa Road from Magomeni to Morocco junction.
It is anticipated that by 2025, Dar es Salaam will have 11.5 million citizens and this according to experts calls for serious infrastructure improvement.
On-going phase one works of the project envisions reducing traffic jams and congestion at Dar es Salaam City.