Dar es Salaam commuter rail explained

Dar es Salaam commuter rail
Owner:Tanzanian Government
Locale:Railway Street, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Transit Type:Commuter rail
Lines:2
Stations:23
Ridership:16,000[1]
Began Operation:29 October 2012
Operator:TAZARA
Tanzania Railways
System Length:32km (20miles)[2]
Track Gauge:
El:1,500 V DC overhead catenary (planned)

The Dar es Salaam commuter rail, informally known as Treni ya Mwakyembe ("Train of Mwakyembe"), is an urban and suburban commuter rail network serving the Tanzanian commercial city of Dar es Salaam.[3] It is one of the two initiatives taken by the government to ease travel within the congested city; the other being the Dar es Salaam bus rapid transit system. Services are provided by the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) and the Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC).

History

Background

Prior to its launch, the Dala dala was the only major means of intracity public transport.

Launch

The inaugural journey commenced on 29 October 2012.[4] [5] The public affectionately refer to it as Treni ya Mwakyembe in honour of Harrison Mwakyembe, the Transport Minister at the time.[6]

The Citizen reported in January 2013 that 'Zambia was opposed' to the project utilising the TAZARA track and that it wasn't 'properly consulted'. Zambian officials insisted that the matter ought to have been brought before the board of directors for approval as both the governments are equal shareholders.[7] Minister Mwakyembe refuted these allegations saying all procedures were adhered to. An anonymous TAZARA board member commented that they had failed to convene their quarterly meeting for the past six months.[8]

The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport presented an award to Mwakyembe in December 2013 for introducing this service.[9]

The TRC Line launched on 1 August 2016, plying the airport route 3 times in the morning from 6 am and 3 times in the evening from 15.55 hours.

Routes

TRC line

TRC operates a track from Pugu Station to the city centre via Gongo la Mboto, FFU mombasa, Banana, Karakata (Airport), Vingunguti Mbuzi, SS Bakhresa, Kamata (Kariakoo City BRT station) then finally Central.[10]

TAZARA line

TAZARA offers two routes on its rail network.[11] The first from its station in Dar es Salaam to Mwakanga which lies on the outskirts of the city. It stops at Kwa Fundi Umeme, Kwa Limboa, Lumo Kigilagila, Sigara, Kitunda road, Kipunguni B, Majohe and Magnus. The second service runs from its Dar es Salaam station to Kurasini via Kwa Fundi Umeme, Yombo, Chimwaga, Maputo, Mtoni Relini and Kwa Aziz Ali Relini.[12]

Operations

The service is available during the morning and evening rush hours throughout the week (excluding Sundays and public holidays).

Ticket pricing

TRC and TAZARA had proposed a fare of Tsh 800 (US$0.50) and 700 respectively for a single journey.[13]

Finance

As of November 2013, the TRC line has been operating at a loss. It costs Tsh 4 million per day to run, whereas revenue from ticket sales stands at Tsh 2 million.[14] The high operating cost has been attributed to the engines and wagons which aren't cost efficient for short journeys.[15]

Future expansion

In December 2019, TRC completed a feasibility study for 6 new railway routes within the network.[16] Route A would link the Mikocheni, Mwenge, Ubungo, and Mtoni wards. Route B would link the Central Business District with Pugu and Karakata (Airport). Route C would connect Mwenge with Wazo Hill and Bagamoyo. Route D would circle the city, linking Vikindu Charambe with Kibiha. Route E would stop at several places, starting in Mtoni and ending in Mwenge. Route F links the Central Business District to Kigamboni.

Incidents

See also

External links

-6.8163°N 39.2667°W

Notes and References

  1. News: 29 October 2012 . Start of Dar Commuter train . pesatimes.com . 3 December 2013.
  2. News: MUCHIRA . JOHN . 22 June 2012 . Tanzania moves to revive Dar commuter rail service . engineeringnews.co.za . 3 December 2013.
  3. News: 29 October 2012 . Dar es Salaam launches first commuter trains . . 3 December 2013.
  4. News: Mwachang`A . Devota . 30 October 2012 . Dar residents happy with commuter train services . IPP Media . 4 December 2013 . 2 April 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150402115148/http://www.ippmedia.com/frontend/?l=47459 . dead .
  5. News: Mtweve . Sturmius . 29 October 2012 . … Most residents were unaware . . 4 December 2013 . 4 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304035025/http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/News/-/1840392/1829106/-/eyq0a1z/-/index.html . dead .
  6. News: Masha . Marycelina . 29 October 2012 . Dar commuter trains easing transport nightmares . . 3 December 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131204231951/http://www.dailynews.co.tz/index.php/features/popular-features/17508-dar-es-salaam-commuter-trains-easing-transport-nightmares-helping-shape-passenger-dignity . 4 December 2013 .
  7. News: Kolumbia . Louis . 7 January 2013 . Zambia feels cheated on commuter project . . 4 December 2013 . 12 December 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131212183252/http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/News/-/1840340/1831886/-/97o903z/-/index.html . dead .
  8. News: 17 January 2013 . Minister: Tazara commuter rail services proper . . 4 December 2013 . 12 December 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131212183058/http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/News/-/1840392/1800300/-/f15adgz/-/index.html . dead .
  9. News: 21 December 2013 . Mwakyembe wins prize for train services . . 28 December 2013 . 31 December 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131231000142/http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/News/Mwakyembe-wins-prize-for-train-services/-/1840392/2120854/-/ntnxeaz/-/index.html . dead .
  10. News: PETER . FELISTER . 2 October 2012 . Dar commuter train service set to begin mid this month . . 4 December 2013.
  11. News: Kolumbia . Louis . 29 October 2012 . Dar train services begin . . 4 December 2013 . 1 March 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140301212011/http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/News/-/1840392/1829112/-/eyq099z/-/index.html . dead .
  12. News: KAZOKA . LUDOVICK . 27 October 2012 . Dar Commuter Train Starts on Monday . 4 December 2013 .
  13. News: RUGONZIBWA . PIUS . 29 October 2012 . Views On Dar es Salaam Train Fares Halted . . 4 December 2013.
  14. News: Nachilongo . Hellen . 11 November 2013 . A train ride worth Sh2m loss . 4 December 2013 . 17 November 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131117085100/http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/News/A-train-ride-worth-Sh2m-loss/-/1840392/2068448/-/acnhks/-/index.html . dead .
  15. News: wa Nyoka . Kiangiosekazi . 20 July 2013 . Machiavellian way of doing things . . 4 December 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130926112822/http://www.dailynews.co.tz/index.php/columnists/columnists/20138-machiavellian-way-of-doing-things . 26 September 2013 .
  16. Web site: 2020-10-29 . TRC eyes six commuter railway networks in Dar . 2024-04-14 . The Citizen . en.
  17. News: Joel . Lawi . 27 January 2015 . Narrow save as Mwakyembe train runs on wrong track . https://archive.today/20150127152416/http://dailynews.co.tz/index.php/local-news/40875-narrow-shave-as-mwakyembe-train-runs-on-wrong-track . dead . 27 January 2015 . Daily News . 27 January 2015 .
  18. Web site: 2023-10-21 . 62 injured after trains collide head-on in Dar . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240414174615/https://legacy.ippmedia.com/en/news/62-injured-after-trains-collide-head-dar . 2024-04-14 . 2024-04-14 . IPP Media . en.

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