Dar es Salaam. Commuters heading to Kivukoni will, starting this month, be forced to drop at the city centre to pave the way for the expansion of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Terminal in the area.
The expansion is part of the implementation of the Sh429 billion BRT Phase IV project stretching from Kivukoni to Tegeta via the Bagamoyo Road in the city.
The 30.1-kilometre World Bank-financed project will improve transport services and decongest the city. Three different contractors will implement the project.
The expansion of the Kivukoni BRT Terminal will be implemented by China Communication Construction Company Limited (CCCCL).
The company is also responsible for the construction of depots in the Mbuyuni and Simu 2000 areas, respectively.
The construction work that starts this month is expected to be completed in 2025, allowing 590 commuter buses to start operations.
Dar es Salaam Rapid Transit Agency (Dart) public relations manager, Mr. William Gatambi, said commuter buses will no longer be allowed to carry out their operations at the Kivukoni station.
“This restriction aims at enabling the contractor to implement the expansion project. Commuter buses will now use designated stations along Ohio Street, Sokoine Drive, and the former headquarters ministry of Lands, Housing, and Human Settlements Development,” he said.
He said the decision to use the three destinations had been reached during deliberations that involved the Land Transport Regulatory Authority (Latra) and Dar es Salaam Commuter Bus Owners (Darcoboa).
Mr Gatambi said commuters the announcement aimed at reducing inconveniences to passengers and enabling them to timely reach their destinations.
Dart’s acting transport planning manager, Mr Mohamed Kuganda, said BRT phase IV infrastructure development would be completed after 18 months of implementation.
Latra’s regional in-charge, Mr Rahim Kondo, said the changes will not affect the operations of commuter buses travelling between the city centre and other destinations.
Darcoboa acting secretary general Shifaya Lema said execution of BRT Phase IV was part of development; therefore, the project cannot be ignored.
“We are aware that the project will come up with different challenges for commuters; however, they will get used to it. Bus operators should use designated stations for picking up and dropping off commuters to avoid unnecessary inconveniences,” he said.
Kinondoni Ward executive officer Aristides Bahle said the exercise has been participatory, urging bus owners and drivers to adhere to the new directives.
The project contract information shows that the Lot 1 roadmap will involve construction of 13.5 kilome-tres stretching from the City Business District (CBD), Mwenge, and Ubungo. The project, worth Sh174.38 billion, will be implemented by M/s China Geo-Engineering Corporation.
The Lot 2 roadmap covering 15.63 kilometres between Mwenge and Tegeta, worth Sh193.856 billion, will be undertaken by M/s Shandong Lugiao Group Company Limited.
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