PRIME MINISTER DIRECTS SPEEDY COMPLETION OF BRT PHASE TWO FOR SWIFT SERVICE LAUNCH

Prime Minister, Kassim Majaliwa (centre) inspects the newly acquired articulated buses at Dar es Salaam Port on Wednesday.

DAR ES SALAAM — Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa has directed operators of the second phase of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project to work around the clock to finalise infrastructure preparations along the remaining sections of the route, paving the way for immediate commencement of services.

Speaking on Wednesday while inspecting the newly acquired 99 buses for the project, Mr Majaliwa toured key facilities including the Mbagala Rangi Tatu BRT Main Station, Gerezani Bus Stop, and a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) refuelling station under construction at the Mbagala Rangi Tatu site.

“We want this project to start providing services to Tanzanians, especially Dar es Salaam residents. This project will boost efficiency of public transport by bringing modern, safe, and fast services for the citizens,” he said.

The Prime Minister also instructed Mofat Company Limited’s Executive Director, Mohammad Kassim, to expedite clearance of the buses at Dar es Salaam Port and stressed that ticketing should be issued electronically to improve transparency and revenue monitoring.

He further encouraged Tanzanians to seize job opportunities from the project — particularly driving roles — by upgrading skills at the National Institute of Transport (NIT).

The new 99 articulated buses are part of Mofat Company Limited’s plan to introduce a total of 255 buses valued at approximately TZS 200 billion. Each 18-metre-long unit runs on natural gas, supporting Tanzania’s climate action goals of cutting carbon emissions.

Phase two of the BRT spans 20.3 kilometres from Mbagala to Gerezani via Kilwa Road, extending to Magomeni and Chang’ombe. According to DART Executive Director Dr Athuman Kihamia, operations are scheduled to begin before 30 August 2025. An additional 52 buses from China are expected to arrive later this month.

This investment follows two contracts signed between DART, Mofat Company Limited, and the Emirates National Group (ENG) of Abu Dhabi, aimed at strengthening Dar es Salaam’s public transport system.

Source: Daily News