Operator reports ‘overwhelming’ response for Tanzania SGR services

The number of passengers using SGR services daily is expected to more than double once services extend to Dodoma from Dar es Salaam via Morogoro.

Read: Tanzania ready for SGR services launch between Dar es Salaam and Dodoma on July 25

Normally, it would take more than 70 buses to transport 4,000 passengers.

SGR electric trains also expected to play a key role in protecting Tanzania’s roads when cargo services begin in earnest.

“The response has been overwhelming. As we speak, all the tickets for today’s (Monday’s) 4pm train are sold out and this is probably also the case with the train that departs tomorrow (yesterday) morning,” Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) managing director Masanja Kadogosa told The Citizen in Dar es Salaam on Monday.

TRC launched services on the Dar es Salaam-Morogoro section of the SGR on June 14, with services between Dar es Salaam and Dodoma scheduled to commence on July 25.

Mr Kadogosa said once Dar es Salaam-Dodoma services are launched, departure times will be adjusted accordingly, adding that the first train on the Dar es Salaam-Dodoma route will provisionally leave at 5am.

This will cater for the needs of travellers who wish to arrive in Dodoma early for meetings and other urgent engagements.

TRC will also introduce a train that will leave Dar es Salaam at 8.30am.

A car park capable of accommodating up to 500 vehicles will also opened at Dar es Salaam’s Tanzanite SGR Station to enable taxis and other vehicles to be parked in a safe and secure environment as people wait for trains to arrive.

Mr Kadogosa added that the bus rapid transit (BRT) station located opposite Tanzanite Station near the Central Police Station will play a key role in serving SGR passengers.

He also advised travellers to use the available ride hailing services for their convenience.

“To avoid congestion, travellers are advised to request ride hailing services before the train arrives at the station,” Mr Kadogosa said.

Explaining the difference between express and regular trains, he said the express train operates between Dar es Salaam and Morogoro without stopping en route to pick up or drop off passengers.

Express trains running between Dar es Salaam and Morogoro usually arrive 20 to 30 minutes earlier than regular trains and time that could be saved once Dar es Salaam-Dodoma express services are up and running could be up to an hour.

Mr Kadogosa said the time saved is significant on trips covering at least 400 kilometres.

“Travellers will appreciate the speed and efficiency of SGR trains once services commence between Dar es Salaam and Dodoma.  People will be able to choose between express and regular services according to their needs and convenience.”

Mr Kadogosa noted that express trains are meant for travellers who need to attend to urgent matters such as business and meetings.

“For instance, when trains operating between Dar es Salaam and Morogoro depart at 5am and arrive at their destination at 6.30am, it means that one will be able to easily commute back and forth between the two destinations.”

Mr Kadogosa added that regular trains operating between Dar es Salaam and Morogoro stop at four stations, namely Pugu, Soga, Ruvu and Ngerengere.

“Travellers can buy tickets and board at any of the four stations, unlike express trains which can only be boarded at the starting point,” he said.

An express economy class ticket for a trip between Dar es Salaam and Morogoro costs Sh20,000, while business and royal class tickets cost Sh35,000 and Sh45,000, respectively.

As for ordinary trains, tickets between the two destinations cost Sh13,000 and Sh21,000 for economy and business classes, respectively.