Onboard Tanzania’s SGR train: From ticketing woes to scenic views

The adventure began even before boarding the train. On Monday July 29,2024, I found myself in a sea of people at the Dar es Salaam and Dodoma stations, waiting for two to three hours to purchase a ticket.

Despite having six ticketing windows in Dar es Salaam, the sheer volume of passengers overwhelmed the system and ticket providers.

Read: Several passengers arrested for defrauding TRC by overriding SGR stations

The weak network only added to the chaos.

A customer first receives a control number and then must queue again at the bank agent’s window to pay and get a receipt.

This receipt is then returned to the first window to obtain the ticket.

Online booking, touted as a convenient alternative, was equally problematic due to high demand, often causing the system to crash.

After struggling for almost three hours, I eventually got my ticket (economy class) and I couldn’t wait to slide to the Capital even after missing out on a business class seat.

Boarding the train

By 4 am on Tuesday, I believed I would be among the first to arrive at the Tanzania Railway Corporation (TRC) headquarters for the 6 am journey.

My eagerness to arrive early stemmed from the hassle of buying the ticket the day before.

Read: Rising dynamics: How SGR trains set the stage for transport innovation in Tanzania

This time, the process was smoother, and within half an hour, I was comfortably seated in carriage 13 of the 14-carriage train.

As I settled in, the announcement came, “In a short while, the train doors will close, ready for departure.”

The anticipation among the passengers was palpable. At 6 am, as indicated on my ticket, the train began to move slowly, gradually picking up speed.

Every passenger seemed exceptionally happy, with some forgetting the troubles they faced while obtaining the ticket.

“I struggled a lot to get this ticket, but I couldn’t give up because I wanted to go to Dodoma by train for the first time,” explained one passenger. 

Another added, “I’m here with my family. We brought a photographer to capture memories of this journey,” she said, while the photographer was busy finding the best shots.

After about an hour and a half of travel, the train unexpectedly slowed down and eventually stopped.

Before questions arose, the gentle voice of the announcer explained, “Dear passengers, our train has stopped here for a routine event to allow another train coming from Dodoma to pass.”

Read: Tanzania’s electric trains: Teething problems are common, but manage public relations

This announcement woke those in deep sleep, with some passengers taking out their smartphones to record the passing train.

After about 15 minutes, the train coming from Dodoma passed by quickly, catching off guard some who wanted to witness the crossing.

 “I couldn’t capture any pictures. The speed was too high,” remarked one person.

Onboard disappointments

The onboard experience had its share of disappointments. Attendants passed through the carriage with a trolley, indicating they were distributing drinks and snacks.

I asked one of the neatly dressed attendants if I could get at least a coffee, considering the early time I woke up to catch the train.

Her answer left me with many questions. She said, “We don’t have coffee, and all items are already finished because we start with the business class coach.”

She continued, “We also have a limited number of attendants, so by the time we reach carriage 13, drinks and snacks are usually finished. I’m very sorry.”

According to the attendants, priority for drinks, including beer, snacks like cashews, milk, and coffee, is given to business class and VIP passengers due to the payment levels and their…