Passengers raise concerns over seating, toilet congestion at Tanzania’s Magufuli Bus Terminal

Dar es Salaam. Passengers using Magufuli Bus Terminal in Dar es Salaam have raised concerns over inadequate seating and waiting areas, with some forced to stand for long periods or sit on their luggage while waiting for buses.

The complaints come days after the resumption of passenger boarding and alighting at the terminal, following a government directive requiring bus operators to stop the practice in the city centre.

Since August 17, 2026, the terminal has experienced an increase in passenger numbers as travellers arrive to catch buses to different regions, putting pressure on available waiting facilities.

Some passengers said they often have to look for any available space to sit, while others sit on their luggage or stand along fences and in open areas as they wait for their buses.

Mr Richard Malima, who was waiting for a bus to Kyela in Mbeya Region, said inadequate seating and waiting facilities should be treated as a priority because passengers can spend considerable time at the terminal before their journeys.

“Although a shortage of seats may appear to be a minor challenge, at a terminal serving thousands of travellers every day, inadequate waiting facilities can affect the quality of service and passengers’ wellbeing,” he said.

He urged the government and terminal management to consider expanding designated waiting areas so passengers can sit safely and comfortably while waiting for their departure time.

Ms Linna Siya, who was waiting for a bus to the Lake Zone, said the waiting environment needed improvement, particularly for passengers who spend long periods at the terminal.

She said passengers are required to go upstairs to wait, but some prefer to remain downstairs near the bus parking areas for fear of missing their buses.

“When you arrive here, the conditions are tiring. You go upstairs to buy your ticket, but there is no place to sit in those offices. We are told to come downstairs and wait for the bus to leave at a certain time,” she said.

Ms Siya said the situation could be particularly difficult for older people, pregnant women, children and people with special needs who may struggle to stand or sit on luggage for extended periods.

She compared the terminal with ticketing points operated by some bus companies elsewhere, saying they offer better environments for passengers to wait comfortably.

Another passenger, Mr Omary Mohamed, suggested installing benches downstairs near the bus parking areas, saying some travellers preferred not to go upstairs because of the distance.

“My advice is to install benches down here. There is space, and people can wait for their transport instead of being left standing for long periods,” he said.

Waiting area

The terminal has a designated passenger waiting area on the first floor.

However, some passengers said they preferred not to use it because it is far from the areas where buses are parked.

During a visit to the terminal, The Citizen’s sister newspaper Mwananchi also observed that the designated waiting area was being used for various commercial activities, including the sale of clothes and books, phone charging and food services.

The activities have reduced the space available for passengers, particularly during periods when the terminal is crowded.

Passengers also raised concerns about a Sh300 charge when leaving the waiting area, in addition to other charges paid when entering the terminal.

The lift at the terminal was also not working during Mwananchi’s visit, while some gates in the area were closed.

Manager responds

Acting Magufuli Bus Terminal manager, Mr Naamini Nguve, said the terminal had a designated waiting area on the first floor with sufficient capacity to accommodate passengers.

“We believe the available space is enough for most passengers to sit and wait for their buses to depart. There are three sections, and we have installed televisions so passengers can relax while waiting,” he said.

Responding to calls for benches downstairs near the buses, Mr Nguve said the proposal could create challenges because the terminal’s layout had been designed to accommodate different uses.

“If we put benches for passengers down here, we could create conflicts with traders who have rented stalls in areas designated for passengers waiting for buses,” he said.

On the non-functioning lift, Mr Nguve said management was continuing with improvements to ensure services were available efficiently and on time according to the terminal’s needs.

Toilets also raise concerns

Apart from waiting areas, passengers and people working at the terminal also complained about congestion in the toilets.

During the visit, Mwananchi witnessed people waiting in queues for the facilities. In the men’s section, there were three toilets and four urinals.

A porter at the terminal, Mr Juma Abdallah, said the increase in passenger numbers had raised demand for toilet facilities.

“I have been working here carrying luggage since yesterday. There is a lot of congestion in the toilets, and you have to queue to get a service,” he said.

Mr Johnson Peter said queues were sometimes made worse by people who spent too long inside the toilets despite others waiting outside.

“You know, some people deliberately take a long time inside even when they know there are many others waiting,” he said.

However, Mr Nguve said the terminal had adequate and modern toilet facilities serving different groups, including people with disabilities.

“The terminal has 18 modern toilet blocks with more than 140 cubicles. What we have found is that some passengers do not know where they are located. We will start making public announcements to educate passengers and show them where the toilets are,” he said.

He said passengers who encountered congestion at one toilet area could assume that the terminal lacked adequate facilities, while other parts of the terminal had additional toilets.