VP Mpango awards top upcountry buses for safety and service

Dodoma. Vice President Dr Philip Mpango, in collaboration with the Land Transport Regulatory Authority (Latra), has honored the best-performing upcountry bus operators in a ceremony aimed at enhancing competition and promoting safety among bus service providers.

The awards, announced recently during the opening of the National Road Safety Week and the 50th Anniversary of the National Road Safety Council, recognized long-distance bus operators for their outstanding safety and service.

Latra's Director General, Habibu Suluo, said that these awards were integral to their mandate under the Latra Act Cap. 413, which aims to foster effective competition among regulated service providers.

“The Latra Act assigns us the responsibility to promote effective competition among regulated service providers, and these awards are a step towards fulfilling that duty,” Suluo said.

The Tanzania Bus Owners Association (Taboa) praised Latra’s initiative, with Taboa’s Secretary-General, Priscus Joseph, noting that the awards would incentivize bus operators to elevate their service quality.

“These awards are a clear recognition of the hard work of bus operators and a tremendous boost to our industry,” Joseph stated.

During the ceremony, various companies were celebrated for their achievements.

Notable winners included Shabiby Line, which secured the award for the best and safest long-distance bus operator among those with more than 30 buses. Tilisho Safaris won in the category for operators with 11 to 30 buses, while Sama Luxury Coach was recognized for its performance among operators with 3 to 10 buses.

Dr Mpango encouraged all upcountry bus operators to strive for excellence in their services to attain future awards.

Tilisho Safaris' representative, Florence Shirima, expressed gratitude for the award, attributing their success to dedication and innovation.

“We are deeply honored and motivated by this recognition.

Our commitment to continuous improvement will ensure we remain competitive in future evaluations,” Shirima said.

Similarly, a Manager at Sama Luxury Coach, Ms Stella Nestory, thanked the stakeholders and customers who supported them.

“This award is a testament to our hard work and commitment to excellence. We are inspired to further enhance our services and look forward to future successes,” Nestory added.

The awards highlight Latra’s ongoing efforts to improve the quality and safety of bus transport services across Tanzania, setting a benchmark for excellence in the industry.