Optimism as BRT buses now expected by March 2025

Dar es Salaam. Delays have plagued the procurement of buses for the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project under the Dar es Salaam Rapid Transit Agency (Dart) for its first and second phases.

However, a sense of optimism prevails as the arrival of buses is expected in March 2025, paving the way for the imminent launch of Phase 2 of the BRT services.

On December 31, 2024, President Samia Suluhu Hassan, in her New Year’s message, identified the BRT project as a key public-private partnership (PPP) initiative for 2025.

She emphasised that the government would prioritise reducing urban congestion, particularly in Dar es Salaam, by advancing the third and fourth phases of the BRT infrastructure and launching services on the completed second phase of the Mbagala route.

On January 2, 2025, Chief Government Spokesperson Gerson Msigwa confirmed the government’s decision to engage the private sector in purchasing the buses.

He announced that the buses, which have already been ordered, are expected to arrive between February and March 2025.

Mr Msigwa, who was speaking on Azam TV's Morning Trumpet, said the private sector would supply 177 buses for the Kimara route and 755 for the Mbagala route, with services to begin in March 2025.

"We face significant challenges with the insufficient number of buses, causing inconvenience to passengers, and this is also a business opportunity," he explained.

He reiterated that service provision is a business, and the government is keen to involve the private sector.

Mr Msigwa also assured that efforts are underway to address the transport challenges, and Dar es Salaam will benefit in the near future.

The buses were initially expected by December 2024, but Dart clarified that the matter is now in the hands of the Office of the Attorney General (AG).

Dart's head of communications and public relations, Mr William Gatambi, told The Citizen’s sister newspaper Mwananchi on December 20, 2024, that the issue had been referred to the AG.

On August 2, 2024, during the launch of gates and smart cards for the system, the Minister of State in the President’s Office-Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), Mr Mohammed Mchengerwa, instructed the agency (DART) to acquire the required buses for the Morogoro and Mbagala routes by December 2024.

Mr Mchengerwa expressed frustration over the delays and set December as the final deadline, stressing that the public was tired of repeated promises.

He further specified that 170 buses were needed for the Morogoro route and 500 for Mbagala.

However, AG Hamza Johari confirmed on December 20 that his office was dealing with the matter.

He expressed confidence that the process would be completed by December as directed.

"This process involves multiple institutions, so everything must be in order before the contract is signed," explained AG Johari.

He urged patience, assuring the public that the contract would be finalised before the year-end.

Dart's Public Relations Manager, Mr William Gatambi, said following the government’s directive, necessary procedures were completed to secure a government guarantee, allowing for a contract between the agency and a United Arab Emirates (UAE) investor, Emirates National Group (ENG).

"The guarantee has passed through several levels and is now with the AG. Once approved, we will move forward," he said.

He noted that the investor would supply buses for the Morogoro road’s first phase, with implementation expected within three months of signing the contract.

A feasibility study has been completed for the Mbagala route, noting that outcomes await approval from the leadership committee.

"Once approved, we will proceed with the second phase. All processes are ongoing, and discussions about the third and fourth phases are premature," he added.

He concluded by stating that once road construction is completed and buses arrive, the project will be fully operational.

When the project began in 2016, Udart brought 140 buses, adding 70 more. However, fewer than 100 buses remain operational due to wear and tear.