Joy, agony amid provision of Tanzania electric train services

However, the advancement has brought unexpected challenges to residents living near the SGR.

Areas such as Kipawa, Vingunguti, Mongolandenge, and Kituo Kipya in Dar es Salaam, particularly towards Gongolamboto, are experiencing a notable shift in their daily lives.

The construction of the SGR has led to a steep rise in the cost of living in these neighborhoods.

Read: Monkeys, owls blamed for disruption of Tanzania's electric train service

The new railway route has restricted the residents' access to the main road, significantly impacting their mobility and increasing transportation costs.

For instance, a resident of Mongolandenge, who was used to walking five minutes to catch a bus at Mombasa, now faces a more cumbersome journey.

To reach the main road, they have to hire a motorbike taxi, commonly known as Bodaboda, to Ukonga or Gongolamboto.

This additional trip incurs a cost of Sh2,000 to and from home, exacerbating the financial strain on local residents.

Property owners in the areas are also struggling as demand for rental homes now has been low

The disruption caused by the SGR's construction has made these locations less accessible, leading to a decrease in tenant interest.

While the electric train services represent a leap forward for Tanzania’s transport sector, the adjustments required by affected residents highlight the broader implications of such infrastructural developments.

More pedestrian bridges planned
However, Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) Director General Masanja Kadogosa said the government was taking several measures to address the concerns.

Mr Kadogosa assured The Citizen that prior to the SGR construction, consultations were held with residents and local leaders regarding the placement of pedestrian bridges.

“During the design phase of the project, residents and leaders from the affected areas agreed on the location of the pedestriabridge to facilitate movement between neighbourhoods,” he explained.

However, Kadogosa acknowledged that changes in leadership and public misunderstandings had contributed to the current challenges.

“Unfortunately, many of the leaders involved in the agreement now have retired.

Additionally, there was a misconception among some Tanzanians that the government was constructing a Meter Gauge Railway (MGR) with small flyover bridges, rather than the more extensive SGR which includes both flyovers and underpass bridges for enhanced accessibility,” he said.

To address these issues, Kadogosa said that the construction of the pedestrian bridge was an added component of the project and required time.

Plans, he said, were underway to build additional pedestrian bridges, including two more in Dar es Salaam, as well as in Kilosa, Dodoma, and Bahi.

“We have finalized the designs for these new bridges, and construction will commence soon,” he confirmed.
These steps aim to mitigate the impact of the SGR on local residents and ensure improved connectivity in the affected areas.

Despite the assurance, residents in the aforementioned areas say the project, which they also believe to be the pride of the nation, has however impacted on their daily lives and economic well-being.

Rent earnings fall
A landlord in the area of Kipawa, Mr Antony Gerald, said property owners in the area had been adversely affected by the project.

“Many of us have invested in rental property as a primary source of income.

The increased cost of transportation — which reaches Sh5,000 per day - has made it unaffordable for tenants to live here,” Mr Gerald explained.
He emphasised that the SGR project had adversely affected their incomes, leading to vacant property.

“We urge the government to consider constructing a pedestrian flyover bridge so that residents can benefit from the SGR project without these inconveniences,” he added.

Mr Gerald elaborated that Kipawa has between 400 and 500 homes, serving local schools, a health centre, and a Vocational Education Training Authority (Veta) centre.

The lack of a nearby pedestrian bridge means residents now face long and costly journeys to access essential services.

Gerald's own rental property stands empty despite efforts to lower the rent, highlighting the widespread impact of the accessibility issue.
A landlord at Majumba Sita, Ms Scolastica Johannes, shares similar sentiments saying that her property, once a reliable source of rental income, now faces high vacancy rates.

“The SGR project is a positive step towards improved connectivity and economic growth.

However, the blockage of pathways and drainage systems has caused severe flooding and inconveniences,” Ms Johannes said.

She called for the construction of pedestrian bridges and proper drainage to help restore her rental business. “Previously rented rooms at Sh50,000 to Sh70,000 are now struggling to attract tenants even at reduced rates,” she added.

Residents also face health and environmental issues. Ms Johannes reported that the blocked drainage had led to water ingress and flooding, and the increased dust from heavy vehicle traffic was exacerbating health problems.

“My sibling has been diagnosed with tuberculosis, and the dust and inadequate road conditions are affecting our health.

The road should be upgraded to the tarmac level for better health and safety,” she suggested.

Impact on bodabodas
Just like any other transformative project, the SGR has had different impacts on bodabodas.

There are those whose earnings have increased due to the increased demand for their services and also those who have seen their earnings going down due to their closeness to pedestrian bridges.
A bodaboda operator from Vingunguti reports a drastic reduction in daily earnings from Sh20,000 to Sh7,000 due to the new flyover bridge, which has decreased demand for motorcycle taxis.

Another bodaboda operator  Juma Ramadhani,  in the Majumba Sita area, has seen increased opportunities during peak hours, earning between Sh40,000 and Sh50,000 for ferrying passengers to bus stations.

Mr Osiasi Mginia, the chairman of the bodaboda association at Daraja Jipya, acknowledges the mixed impact of the SGR project. “Despite the development has affected the bodaboda business, it has opened up new opportunities.

We have adapted by exploring ride-hailing services like Bolt and Little Ride to sustain our businesses,” he said.

Passengers’ unforgettable experience
For many passengers, travelling in the new electrified commuter train was not just a trip but an unforgettable experience as Tanzania has opened the new chapter in the transport sector.

The train services on the SGR officially started last month, plying between Dar es Salaam and Morogoro.

The route from Dar es Salaam was last week extended to Dodoma, cutting the travel time to three hours and 25 minutes, compared to about eight hours by bus.

Some travellers also spoke to The Citizen, expressing their excitement, with others revealing that it’s their first time to board an electric train.

Some were seen making video calls to their friends, relatives and families to show off that they had boarded a train while others took photos to document and share the remembrance.

Interestingly, the train also had a medical doctor in case a passenger got sick during the journey.

A resident of Kingamboni in Dar es Salaam, Ms Alice Chuwa, who was visiting her sick sister, said it was her first time to board the SGR train.

“I am going to Morogoro to visit my elder sister who is sick. I expect to come back to Dar es Salaam later today in the evening,” she said.

She was impressed by announcements to ensure travellers were informed on the duration before reaching the next station and the time it would spend (stoppage time) at the respective station.

Ms Chuwa added that the SGR will be a reliable mode of transport if it’s consistent with no delays.

“In my case, if you were to ask me to go to Mororogoro or Dodoma by bus, I would choose a train because it is safe and quick,” she added.

A woman called Shime Sana, was among the passengers who travelled from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro by train for the first time.

She said the train trips had simplified travelling between the two destinations and enabled them to get in touch with suppliers of their batikis on time.

Pascal Maganga (71), a resident of Turiani who was coming to Dar es Salaam for treatment at Mlongazila Hospital, said the train trips were indeed the pride of the nation.

“What I have seen today is fantastic and a big achievement for the country. Though, there is a slight challenge on the ticketing side…

Because last night, July 24, when I was trying to buy a ticket online, I could not manage to do so and I did not know what the problem was.

I have come here (Morogoro station), the system is down.

My wife is in the queue, trying to see if she can make it,” he said.