Several passengers arrested for defrauding TRC by overriding SGR stations

Dar es Salaam. Several individuals have been arrested in connection with fraudulent activities on the Electric Train (SGR), the Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) announced today.

Although TRC has not disclosed the exact number of the passengers arrested so far.

The arrests come shortly after the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) in Morogoro Region released a report highlighting the presence of passengers attempting to sabotage the corporation.

The arrested individuals are accused of purchasing tickets for intermediate stops but continued past their intended stations, thereby exceeding the value of their tickets and defrauding the corporation.

According to the TRC, the fraudulent activities were most common among passengers boarding midway through the journey at stations such as Ruvu and Ngerengere.

TRC’s Head of Communication and Public Relations, Jamila Mbarouk, stated that the corporation, in collaboration with security agencies, has taken a decisive action against these offenders.

“Some of the arrested passengers have already been brought to court, while others have been fined double the fare they should have paid,” Ms Mbarouk said.

In addition to the passengers involved in this fraud, TRC has also detained individuals who were purchasing large numbers of tickets to engage in further fraudulent acts. These individuals are now facing legal action.

Ms Mbarouk explained that the arrests were made after the PCCB alerted TRC to the fraudulent activities.

In response, TRC has strengthened its ticket inspection procedures.

“When passengers board the train, they must scan their tickets. Inspectors conduct additional checks during the journey, and upon alighting, passengers are required to scan their tickets again. Any detected fraud triggers alarms, prompting immediate security intervention,” she said.

To prevent future incidents, she emphasized that passengers must now present identification that matches the name on their ticket before boarding the SGR train. This measure is aimed at curbing ticket fraud and ensuring that all passengers pay the correct fare.

“It was also discovered that certain individuals were buying large quantities of tickets without clear destinations. These individuals have also been detained,” Mbarouk added.

She urged all passengers to act responsibly in protecting public assets and to report any attempts to sabotage the corporation.

Moreover, she warned that anyone found engaging in such activities will face the full extent of the law, including prosecution.