BRT facility to feed off part of Sh660bn metro funding

What you need to know:

  • Minister of State in the President’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government Suleiman Jaffo told The Citizen yesterday that the government intended to use part of the Sh660 billion DMP money to develop BRT jangwani station to ensure buses are not damaged during the rainy season.

The government has said it will use part of Dar es Salaam Metropolitan Projects (DMP) funds to improve Jangwani parking area instead of acquiring land to be used as a parking area by the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT).

Minister of State in the President’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government Suleiman Jaffo told The Citizen yesterday that the government intended to use part of the Sh660 billion DMP money to develop BRT jangwani station to ensure buses are not damaged during the rainy season.

He made the remarks on the sidelines of a symposium themed: “Tanzania Towards Industrialization, Rethinking Education for Self Reliance Policy.”

“Currently we are doing a feasibility study to find out the source of floods at Jangwani parking station. The measures we are planning to take include setting up a good drainage system that will help to empty water directly to the ocean,” he said.

Following recent rains last month, at least 30 Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) buses were damaged and the operation of services were suspended to due to floods at Jangwani.

However, when Mr. Jaffo visited Jangwani he directed Dar es Salaam Rapid Transport (DART) executive director to ensure all buses were been parked at Gerezani bus station.

Recently, Dart announced tender to search for the second operator on the BRT System after failing to find an investor, during peak hours overcrowding at Dart terminal and stations has worsen due to shortage of BRT routes.

The second investor will join be expected to put in service at least 165 buses to increase operation efficacy and enable Dart to extend feeder routes.

However, during phase BRT buses were supposed to be 305 but so far only 140 buses currently operating.