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Pending issues as Samia’s SGR deadline approaches
An electric train runs on the standard gauge railway in Coast Region during trials. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
- Addressing the pending issues is essential to the successful launch and efficient functioning of the SGR, which is poised to significantly enhance transportation in the country.
Dar es Salaam. A number of issues need to be addressed ahead of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s July 1 deadline for standard gauge railway (SGR) services between Dar es Salaam and Dodoma to commence.
Matters that have yet to be finalised include the announcement of fares, project handover and concluding the procurement of electric multiple units (EMUs).
In her 2024 New Year message to the nation, President Hassan directed that SGR services start by July 1 to meet public expectations on the mega project.
The SGR is being built in phases, with lots one and two linking Dar es Salaam and Dodoma, through Morogoro, having been implemented by about 95 percent so far.
“I’ve been hearing about changes in dates on which train services are supposed to start. People are now fed up with excuses. They want to see trains operating as soon as possible,” the Head of State said.
Addressing the pending issues is essential to the successful launch and efficient functioning of the SGR, which is poised to significantly enhance transportation in the country.
Tanzania Railway Corporation (TRC) director general Masanja Kadogosa told The Citizen earlier in the week that the announcement of fares is the responsibility of the Land Transport Regulatory Authority (Latra).
Contacted for comment, Latra director general Habibu Suluo said the setting of SGR fares was almost complete.
“There are some technical issues that must be ironed out before an announcement is made. Also, fares are supposed to be agreed upon by all stakeholders before they are announced,” he added.
Regarding the handover of the SGR section between Dar es Salaam and Dodoma, Mr Kadogosa said a number of issues need to addressed before the official handover and commencement of operations.
“It has been almost a year since we started conducting test runs between Dar es Salaam and Morogoro. The tests aim at establishing that various components in the project, including bridges and buildings, meet the relevant quality standards.
“We are supposed to satisfy ourselves that the highest levels of safety compliance are in place before operations can start,” Mr Kadogosa added.
He said the date for the commencement of services will be announced in due course.
Latra railway regulation director Hanya Mbawala said current tests are aimed at confirming that SGR infrastructure and equipment are safe ahead of the launch of passenger services.
“The Railways Act of 2017 states that it’s Latra’s responsibility to inspect newly constructed infrastructure and certify equipment. We expect to conduct final tests in May that will enable us to certify the quality of the trains,” he added, noting that Latra has directed TRC to address a few pending issues.
The railway firm, among other directives, has been asked to communicate with the company building the railway and the supplier of coaches so that they can make some adjustments and improvements, which is standard procedure before final confirmations are issued.
“It is a process that entails careful consideration of the technical aspects,” Mr Mbawala said, adding that electronic tickets will be used on the SGR to save travellers unnecessary inconvenience.
Regarding EMUs, TRC last month announced the arrival of five electric locomotives and three passenger cars.
The state-of-the-art EMUs were purchased from Hyundai Rotem in South Korea and each train is capable of carrying up to 589 passengers.
TRC said it expects to receive a total of ten EMUs, with the remaining units arriving every month until October 2024.
So far, 65 passenger cars and nine electric locomotives have been procured, further bolstering the SGR rolling stock.
Earlier this year, chief government spokesperson Mobhare Matinyi said the deadline for the official launch of SGR services will be met.
“There will be no other directive. No changes should be expected after the Head of State’s recent directive,” he said.
SGR trains are expected to cut the travel time between Dar and Dodoma to about four hours from about eight hours by bus and ten hours by train on the old metre-gauge railway.
The construction of the 300-kilometre Dar-Morogoro section had reached 98 percent by last November, while the 442-kilometre stretch between Morogoro and Dodoma was 94 percent complete.
