Minister criticises move to allow vehicles on BRT lanes
Buses operate on a bus rapid transit (BRT) route in Dar es Salaam. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
- In October 2024, Mr Chalamila, announced the opening of unused BRT lanes to private vehicles and other passenger buses to help ease traffic congestion.
Dar es Salaam. The Minister of State in the President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), Mohamed Mchengerwa, has condemned the decision to permit vehicles on Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lanes without his ministry’s authorisation.
Speaking on 21 March 2025 at the signing of the second phase of the Dar es Salaam Metropolitan Development Project (DMDP II), Mr Mchengerwa stressed that the lanes are under the Dar es Salaam Rapid Transit Agency (DART), which falls under his office.
"At some point, directives were issued allowing vehicles on BRT lanes, disregarding that these roads do not belong to you. Now, the Mbagala BRT lane is deteriorating due to 30- to 40-tonne trucks using it. The consequences are severe, and all road construction projects could be affected," warned Mr Mchengerwa.
His remarks follow the Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner (RC) Albert Chalamila’s decision to permit private vehicles on certain BRT lanes yet to be officially commissioned.
In October 2024, Mr Chalamila, announced the opening of unused BRT lanes to private vehicles and other passenger buses to help ease traffic congestion.
This decision was made in response to a directive from the then Minister of Works Innocent Bashungwa whose decision aimed to utilize completed but unused BRT lanes that were not in operation due to a shortage of buses.
Mr Chalamila clarified that this measure only applies to BRT lanes that are completed but not in use due to the lack of buses, “Once new buses arrive, the lanes will revert to being exclusive for BRT buses.”
