How Tanzania’s SGR can complement air transport

The SGR’s appeal lies in its affordability, efficiency and reliable schedules, making it an attractive alternative for business and leisure travellers alike.

Tanzania Railway Corporation (TRC) recently reported that 366,000 passengers had been served since electric train services commenced between Dar es Salaam, Morogoro and Dodoma.

This figure has exceeded initial expectations, with projections suggesting that passenger numbers could reach or surpass one million in the coming months.

While the SGR’s growth is significant, aviation experts and industry professionals believe that it does not pose a long-term threat to air travel.

Instead, there is potential for the railway and aviation sectors to coexist and even collaborate, thus providing travellers with a broader range of travel options.

A passenger who preferred to remain anonymous shared his experience from a recent flight from Dodoma to Dar es Salaam. On a Saturday night flight, there were only ten passengers on board. He expressed concern about the sustainability of such flights, noting that under normal circumstances, flights with fewer than 50 passengers might not be profitable. He speculated that the SGR could impact airline profitability, especially for premium classes and popular routes.

“Although the SGR might present a challenge, particularly for premium passengers who usually book flights in advance, it should not be seen as a complete substitute for air travel,” he said.

He also highlighted that airlines serving regions like Dodoma should consider coordinating their schedules with train services to maintain profitability.

His concerns reflect a broader issue: the potential shift of premium passengers from airlines to trains. This shift could challenge airlines, especially on busy routes such as Dodoma-Dar es Salaam, where flights are often fully booked but now face competition from the train service.

“If the SGR maintains its consistency, it could lead to a reduction in flights to Dodoma as many passengers opt for the train. The difference between train and plane travel is minimal and the convenience offered by electric trains could impact air travel,” he argued.

Despite these concerns, aviation expert John Njawa offers a more nuanced perspective. He suggests that the SGR should be viewed as a complement to air travel rather than a direct competitor.

According to Mr Njawa, while passengers might temporarily shift towards train travel due to curiosity or long-standing issues in aviation—such as supply chain problems and inadequate airport access—air travel will not be entirely replaced by trains.

Mr Njawa emphasised that the SGR’s introduction might alter passenger preferences temporarily but is unlikely to fully displace air travel. Both modes of transport can coexist, offering varied options for travellers and enhancing overall connectivity.

"People have different tastes and it's about customer behaviour. When something new comes up, people want to experience it as well,” he said.

Mr Njawa acknowledged the aviation sector will eventually adjust and coexist with the SGR.

“There will be an impact, especially in the short term, but it won't be sustainable in the long run. I see the SGR service as complementary to the aviation sector rather than a direct competitor.”

Another aviation expert and trainer, Mr Juma Fimbo, believes that the SGR, still in its early stages, has yet to pose a major challenge to airlines.

He points out that the railway service lacks comprehensive policies to handle delays and other minor inconveniences, areas where airlines have established robust customer service strategies.

“There’s no real competition between the SGR and airlines; they’re more like friends. There’s potential for passengers to combine flights with SGR trips for local travel. Both sectors can work together to enhance the travel experience,” Mr Fimbo said.

He envisions future collaborations where airlines and the SGR might offer joint bookings and shared revenue streams, benefiting both sectors.

Flight captain Philemon Kisamo echoed this sentiment, noting that many passengers are currently opting for the SGR due to its lower fares compared to air tickets.

The daily frequency of SGR trips makes it convenient for short-term travellers, such as those on business trips.

“While cross-country buses might offer the best fares, the SGR is faster and passengers appreciate its consistency. I would advise the SGR to maintain this level of service,” he said.

Precision Air Tanzania marketing and corporate communications manager Hilary Mremi has a pragmatic view of the SGR’s rise.

Rather than viewing it as a threat, he considers the SGR a “positive challenge” that will push airlines to enhance their services. By improving air travel quality, airlines can continue to offer compelling reasons for passengers to choose flying over train travel.

“We see the SGR as a positive challenge that will encourage us to enhance our services, making them more attractive to passengers, especially considering the shorter flight times compared to the train,” Mr Mremi said.

He also noted that the SGR's impact has been minimal so far, with passenger numbers fluctuating. For example, flights from Dodoma to Dar es Salaam are typically fully booked on Fridays and a drop in passengers on Saturdays is not unusual.

In response to the SGR's growth, the Tanzania Bus Owners Association (Taboa) has announced plans to develop strategies to remain competitive. This includes relocating capital to other destinations or underutilized sectors.

Taboa national secretary Joseph Prisicus indicated that the association is exploring ways to address challenges, such as seeking tax assistance from the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) due to reduced bus operations.

“We cannot oppose the development of railways. There are many benefits if passengers end up in Dodoma and there are buses that will take them to other destinations. Since we are all taxpayers, the government should look at how to help owners so that they all benefit,” he said.

Mr Priscus added that Taboa is evaluating the impact on employment and investor capital and may adjust their operations based on the findings.

The SGR’s introduction has led some bus operators to reduce their trips. For example, a company that previously made 20 trips a day from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro has now cut back to between nine and ten trips daily. This reduction in service has implications for tax payments and operational viability.

As the SGR continues to develop and expand, its relationship with the aviation sector will likely evolve.

While there are concerns about competition, experts agree that there is significant potential for collaboration, which could ultimately benefit both travel sectors and the passengers they serve.