Dar Es Salaam Commuter Rail

The Dar es Salaam commuter rail, informally known as ''Treni ya Mwakyembe'' ("Train of Mwakyembe"), is an urban and suburban commuter rail network serving the Tanzanian commercial city of Dar es Salaam. It is one of the two initiatives taken by the government to ease travel within the congested city; the other being the Dar es Salaam bus rapid transit system. Services are provided by the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) and the Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC).

History

Background

Prior to its launch, the Dala dala was the only major means of intracity public transport.

Launch

The inaugural journey commenced on 29 October 2012. The public affectionately refer to it as ''Treni ya Mwakyembe'' in honour of Harrison Mwakyembe, the Transport Minister at the time.

'' The Citizen'' reported in January 2013 that 'Zambia was opposed' to the project utilising the TAZARA track and that it wasn't 'properly consulted'. Zambian officials insisted that the matter ought to have been brought before the board of directors for approval as both the governments are equal shareholders. Minister Mwakyembe refuted these allegations saying all procedures were adhered to. An anonymous TAZARA board member commented that they had failed to convene their quarterly meeting for the past six months.

The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport presented an award to Mwakyembe in December 2013 for introducing this service.

The TRC Line launched on 1 August 2016, plying the airport route 3 times in the morning from 6 am and 3 times in the evening from 15.55 hours.

Routes

TRC line

TRC () operates a track from Pugu Station to the city centre via Gongo la Mboto, FFU mombasa, Banana, Karakata (Airport), Vingunguti Mbuzi, SS Bakhresa, Kamata ( Kariakoo City BRT station) then finally Central.

TAZARA line

TAZARA () offers two routes on its rail network. The first from its station in Dar es Salaam to Mwakanga which lies on the outskirts of the city. It stops at Kwa Fundi Umeme, Kwa Limboa, Lumo Kigilagila, Sigara, Kitunda road, Kipunguni B, Majohe and Magnus. The second service runs from its Dar es Salaam station to Kurasini via Kwa Fundi Umeme, Yombo, Chimwaga, Maputo, Mtoni Relini and Kwa Aziz Ali Relini.

Operations

The service is available during the morning and evening rush hours throughout the week (excluding Sundays and public holidays).

Ticket pricing

TRC and TAZARA had proposed a fare of Tsh 800 (US$0.50) and 700 respectively for a single journey.

Finance

As of November 2013, the TRC line has been operating at a loss. It costs Tsh 4 million per day to run, whereas revenue from ticket sales stands at Tsh 2 million. The high operating cost has been attributed to the engines and wagons which aren't cost efficient for short journeys.

Future expansion

In December 2019, TRC completed a feasibility study for 6 new railway routes within the network. Route A would link the Mikocheni, Mwenge, Ubungo, and Mtoni wards. Route B would link the Central Business District with Pugu and Karakata (Airport). Route C would connect Mwenge with Wazo Hill and Bagamoyo. Route D would circle the city, linking Vikindu Charambe with Kibiha. Route E would stop at several places, starting in Mtoni and ending in Mwenge. Route F links the Central Business District to Kigamboni.

Incidents

* On 26 January 2015 a train on the TAZARA line went astray onto the wrong track, and narrowly avoided colliding with another locomotive engine.
* On 17 October 2023 a passenger train on the TAZARA line collided head-on with a cargo train, injuring 62 people.

See also

* Railway stations in Tanzania

References

External links

*

When I missed the train
by Lawi Joel, ''Daily News''.

{{Urban rail transit in Africa
Transport in Dar es Salaam
Rail transport in Tanzania
Metre-gauge railways in Tanzania
3 ft 6 in gauge railways in Tanzania
Railway services introduced in 2012