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Why buses in Tanzania now operate mostly at night
Long-distance buses are lined up for night departures from the main bus terminal in Arusha. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
- Bus operators in Tanzania are increasingly focusing on night operations as they seek to capitalise on the economic advantages of operating overnight services
Dar es Salaam. Bus operators in Tanzania are increasingly focusing on night operations as they seek to capitalise on the economic advantages of operating overnight services.
The government officially permitted upcountry passenger buses to operate around the clock to boost the transportation sector, lifting a ban that had been in place since the early 1990s. Nearly two years after this policy change, analysis by The Citizen indicates that bus companies are prioritising night services over daytime operations.
A survey of 40 bus companies that support online booking conducted on March 7 revealed that out of 290 scheduled buses for routes exceeding 450 kilometres to and from Dar es Salaam 53 percent were set to depart at night (4pm–23.59pm), while daytime departures accounted for 47 percent.
This demonstrates a strategic preference for scheduling long-distance journeys at night to enhance passenger convenience and operational efficiency.
Bus operators with smaller fleets predominantly opt for night departures, suggesting a calculated approach to optimising fleet utilisation and meeting passenger demand.
According to the Head of Public Relations at the Land Transport Regulatory Authority (Latra), Mr Salum Pazzy, since the introduction of 24-hour operations, 1,950 buses have been registered for night travel.
“To enhance passenger safety, we have set specific conditions for drivers and bus owners to comply with. Drivers must be certified by Latra and use identification buttons (i-buttons). Failure to adhere to these regulations results in penalties, including adjustments to morning schedules,” he said.
Mr Pazzy also noted that between October 2023 and January 2024, a total of 205 road accidents were recorded, with 61 occurring during night travel and 144 during the day. During the same period, 203 people died in daytime road accidents, while 65 fatalities were recorded in night-time crashes. Additionally, 490 people were injured during the day, compared to 194 at night.
Travellers have expressed preference for night travel due to fewer stopovers, reduced road congestion and faster journeys.
“I always take night buses from Dar es Salaam to Mbeya because I arrive in the morning and have the entire day for business,” said Ms Jenifer Mfilinge.
A resident of Mbezi Louis in DAr es Salaam, Mr Esau Mrisho, shared a similar sentiment, stating that night travel is convenient for those with emergencies.
“Since nighttime travel was introduced, I prefer it over daytime travel. The journey feels faster as I sleep through most of it,” he said.
Another passenger, Mr Nelson Mbewa, recounted how night travel assisted him in an emergency.
“One evening, I received news that my child in Arusha was seriously ill. I immediately booked a night ticket, arrived in the morning, and was able to bring them back to Dar es Salaam for treatment,” he explained.
BM Coach operations manager Gabriel Makundi acknowledged the increasing demand for night travel, particularly on long-distance routes.
“At night, passenger volumes are higher than during the day. Most of our long routes, such as Dar es Salaam to Mwanza, Mbeya, and Arusha, operate night trips due to high demand,” he said.
Mr Makundi revealed that BM Coach deploys 12 buses on the Dar es Salaam-Arusha route—six at night and six during the day—but night trips are usually fully booked. The company also plans to introduce a new night service from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza and increase the number of night buses to Mbeya.
He further stated that all BM night buses are equipped with CCTV cameras and have two drivers per trip to ensure one can rest after an eight-hour shift.
Shabiby Line transport officer Edward Magawa echoed these sentiments, noting that night buses transport more passengers than morning services.
“Most night travellers are workers, businesspeople, and those with urgent matters. Night travel allows them to maximise daytime hours for work and business,” he said.
He added that Shabiby Line has ordered 35 new buses, which are expected to arrive soon, to serve routes such as Dar es Salaam-Mwanza, Dar es Salaam-Musoma, and Dar es Salaam-Kagera. The majority will operate at night, although some will be allocated to morning services.
“Our night buses from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma and back have 12 trips daily—six in each direction—and they are usually full. The same applies to our night services on routes such as Dar es Salaam-Moshi, Dodoma-Sumbawanga, and the upcoming Dar es Salaam-Sumbawanga route,” he noted.
Mr Magawa also highlighted that the expansion of Shabiby’s fleet has created job opportunities, and the arrival of 35 new buses will further boost employment.
