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Dar set for BRT Phase 2 launch as 99 buses head from China

By  Hellen Nachilongo

What you need to know:

  • The 20.3-kilometre BRT Phase Two corridor, built for $159.32 million (Sh285.1 billion) by China’s Sinohydro Construction Limited, is scheduled to commence full operations on September 1, 2025.

Dar es Salaam. The government, through the Dar es Salaam Rapid Transit Agency (DART), has received a consignment of 99 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses from the manufacturer, Golden Dragon, ahead of the launch of Phase Two operations.

The 20.3-kilometre BRT Phase Two corridor, built for $159.32 million (Sh285.1 billion) by China’s Sinohydro Construction Limited, is scheduled to commence full operations on September 1, 2025.

DART’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Athuman Kihamnia, told The Citizen on Friday, July 18, 2025, that the 18-metre-long buses have been completed and delivered to the Glovis Precious Port in Xiamen City, China, ready for shipment to Dar es Salaam. A further 101 buses are expected to be transported by August 15.

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“I am currently in China, where I witnessed the buses, owned by local firm Mofat Company Limited, being loaded for shipment. They are expected to arrive at the port within 21 working days from July 17,” he said.

On June 21, Mofat Company Limited, which is contracted to operate part of the BRT system, launched a recruitment drive expected to create over 1,000 jobs in preparation for Phase Two operations.

Confirming the development, the firm’s chief operations officer, Mr Mabrouk Masasi, told The Citizen on June 23 that over 423 vacancies had already been advertised to support the September 1 rollout.

“We’ve begun recruiting a total of 423 employees. The majority, 255, are drivers, followed by 158 station assistants. The rest include mechanics and other support staff,” he said.

He noted that this was only the first phase of recruitment, “Once the buses arrive and operations begin, more positions will be advertised. Our operations will require approximately 1,100 employees in total.”

The first batch of buses is expected to begin arriving in August, with all 255 buses anticipated to be delivered by the end of September.

Mr Masasi emphasised that services will officially commence on September 1, 2025, aligning with the timeline for the buses’ arrival.

He added that the current focus is on receiving and installing the electronic gate systems for ticket validation, transporting the buses, training drivers, and finalising the fare collection infrastructure, all essential for full system integration.

“All the buses will be stationed at the Mbagala terminal once they arrive,” he noted.

Reflecting on lessons learned from BRT Phase One, Mr Masasi highlighted the critical role of electronic systems in ensuring efficiency and reliability.

“We’ve prioritised automated systems over manual operations. The necessary equipment is en route and will be installed before launch,” he said.

BRT Phase Two is expected to significantly reduce commuting time and ease traffic congestion in key parts of the city, especially along the Kilwa Road corridor, which links central Dar es Salaam with southern suburbs such as Mbagala.

The project includes the construction of depots, stations, and other infrastructure to support seamless operations, making it a vital component of the city’s long-term urban mobility strategy.

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