Dar BRT operator to test new gas-powered rapid bus in April
BRT buses ply one of the Dar es Salaam routes. Photo | File
What you need to know:
- The remaining 99 buses, manufactured in China, are expected to arrive by the end of the current financial year.
Dar es Salaam. Usafiri Dar es Salaam Rapid Transit (UDART) is set to receive a gas-powered bus for a trial scheduled for next month.
The remaining 99 buses, manufactured in China, are expected to arrive by the end of the current financial year.
This move comes in response to the aging fleet of buses currently in operation, which requires replacement.
UDART’s Director General, Mr Waziri Kindamba, shared this update through a message on the President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG) platform.
"We anticipate receiving the first trial bus in April 2025, with the remaining 99 buses expected before the close of the 2024/2025 financial year," said Mr Kindamba.
He elaborated on the wear and tear experienced by the current fleet, attributing it to nearly a decade of continuous operation.
"These buses run almost 24 hours a day, seven days a week, starting as early as 4:00 am and continuing until midnight," he explained.
Due to the high frequency of use, some vehicles have faced technical challenges. "Given the continuous operation of these buses, occasional mechanical issues are inevitable. As part of our strategy to enhance efficiency and sustainability, the new management has opted to introduce compressed gas-powered buses," he said.
In December last year, Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Albert Chalamila announced that the government was in the process of acquiring 100 new buses.
He also highlighted that over Sh300 billion had been allocated for the development of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) infrastructure in Dar es Salaam.
Mr Chalamila stressed the importance of increasing the number of rapid transit buses to meet the rising demand for public transportation.
He pointed to key projects in areas such as Kimara and Mbagala, which require more than 770 buses to provide adequate service.
He also clarified the operational structure of the system, stating that once the Tanzania National Roads Agency (Tanroads) completes BRT-related road infrastructure—financed through both government and donor support—the facilities will be handed over to the Dar Rapid Transit Agency (DART).
DART will then contract UDART to manage operations and deliver transportation services to the public.
