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‘Never again’: Agency’s pledge after painful BRT lessons
Buses operate on a section of the bus rapid transit (BRT) network in Dar es Salaam. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
- Dart chief executive Athuman Kihamia says lessons from the past are shaping a more coordinated and efficient rollout of Phase III
Dar es Salaam. As the Dar es Salaam Rapid Transit Agency (Dart) prepares to launch the third phase of the bus rapid transit (BRT) network in the city, its leadership has vowed to avoid the costly delays and planning gaps that plagued Phase II.
Speaking to The Citizen on Tuesday, Dart chief executive Athuman Kihamia said lessons from the past are shaping a more coordinated and efficient rollout of Phase III.
“In this third phase, we have prepared ourselves so that the challenges we faced in Phase II do not happen again. This time, infrastructure and buses will be ready at the same time,” he said.
In Phase II, roads were completed months before buses arrived, resulting in underutilised infrastructure and mounting public frustration.
Dr Kihamia assured that such inefficiencies will not be repeated.
Dart is now working closely with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), which is serving as its transaction advisor for both Phases III and IV. IFC is currently finalising feasibility studies, preparing tender documents, facilitating negotiations and drafting contracts.
To further align operations, Dart is in the process of hiring a transition operator advisor. This step aims to ensure that the bus fleet is in place by the time construction ends, with the launch expected in December.
“We are currently in the tendering process. Once finalised, buses will arrive in the country ready for operation. We’ll also be able to inspect them beforehand, unlike in Phase II,” Dr Kihamia said.
The government has secured a Sh570.6 billion loan for the implementation of Phases III and IV. Of this, $148.1 million (about Sh378 billion) is allocated to Phase III, which covers a 23.6-kilometre corridor stretching from Gongo la Mboto along Nyerere Road to the City Centre, including part of Uhuru Road.
According to BRT project manager Frank Mbilinyi, Phase III is approximately 90 percent complete. “Trunk roads from Gongo la Mboto to the City Centre are largely done. What remains are pedestrian walkways and service roads,” he said.
Despite visible progress, Dart faces public trust deficits following revelations of financial mismanagement in the 2023/24 Controller and Auditor General (CAG) report.
The CAG’s findings, presented in April 2025, indicated that Sh2.04 billion allocated for passenger transport and compensation was diverted to unrelated expenditures. Only Sh1.8 million remained while outstanding claims totalled Sh1.94 billion. Overall, Sh16.03 billion was misappropriated across Dart, regional secretariats and local governments during the same financial year.
In response, stakeholders have expressed cautious optimism.
Latra Consumers Consultative Council (Latra CCC) executive secretary Daud Daudi called for a greater focus on operational preparedness and fleet sustainability.
“Service providers must prioritise maintenance and bus availability. One of the major challenges in Phase I was persistent bus shortages and breakdowns,” he said.
“We hope DART ensures that enough buses are available for the Gongo la Mboto route when Phase III launches.”
Concerns about bus availability are not new. Phase II, which was finalised in December 2023, with only the installation of traffic lights pending, did not see service rollout due to delays in bus procurement. This caused increased pressure on the ageing Phase I fleet.
Phase I was designed for 305 buses, but that number has never been met. Many of the existing units are now in poor condition. For Phase II, 755 buses are planned, but procurement remains pending.
As Dart advances into its third and fourth phases, expectations are high. Whether this new chapter will deliver a more reliable and integrated transit system will depend on the agency’s ability to translate promises into tangible results.
