Why SGR link with Dar airport will be a transport game-changer

The extension of electric train services to Tanzania’s biggest and busiest airport is expected to streamline travel, improve efficiency and contribute to national development.

Aviation industry players who spoke to The Citizen on Wednesday said linking the SGR with JNIA will significantly reduce passenger waiting times and make it easier for them to catch flights and reach their destinations on time.

With over 200 cargo wagons expected to arrive in the country this month, the connection will enhance both passenger and cargo transport in line with Tanzania’s broader infrastructure goals.

The government’s initiative follows the successful launch in June of SGR passenger services between Dar es Salaam and Dodoma.

A total of 645,421 passengers had used SGR services by September, with Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) generating Sh15.695 billion in revenue.

As of November, the number of passengers had increased to more than 1 million.

The number, TRC noted, was double that of passengers transported on the old metre gauge railway (MGR), which carried a total of 400,000 passengers over one year.

Speaking in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday, Prof Kahyarara said the SGR-JNIA connection would be operational within one or two years.

Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) director general Salim Msangi spoke of the advantages of the envisaged integration, saying it would ensure timely transport for travellers.

“Connecting the SGR with JNIA means travellers will be able to easily make their way to the airport without needless delays. Additionally, arriving passengers will benefit from quick access to transport directly from the airport, saving time and reducing the stress of transitioning between different transport modes,” he said.

The connection will also reduce flight delays caused by traffic congestion, according to Precision Air Services Plc corporate communications manager Hilary Mremi.

He pointed out that while other countries have already integrated air, sea and land transport, Tanzania is taking an important step forward by connecting these modes of transport.

“This integration will improve the efficiency of air travel, and it’s a positive move for passengers,” Mr Mremi said.

He added that the connection could open new opportunities for travellers by allowing them to book both train and flight tickets through airline websites.

The linking of air and rail transport is expected to be a game-changer for both travellers and the economy alike.

In addition to easing traveller movement, the SGR-JNIA connection is expected to improve cargo transport by facilitating faster and more reliable movement of goods.

As Tanzania continues to improve its infrastructure, the project aligns with the government’s broader goals of boosting economic growth and enhancing connectivity.

The SGR-JNIA link promises to revolutionise travel in Tanzania by creating a seamless connection between air and rail transport, reducing time and costs for travellers while supporting the country’s development goals.

With its potential to reduce traffic congestion and increase efficiency, the SGR-JNIA connection is good news for travellers, businesses and the economy, according to analysts.