THE much-awaited Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project is set to take off soon after preliminary process nears completion.
The Director of Operations and Infrastructure at Dar es Salaam Rapid Transport Agency (DART), Eng John Shauri, told journalists in Dar es Salaam that the service is expected to start in mid-December, some three weeks from now. “The focus now is on this interim period which is expected to commence soon,” he said.

He said that the company that has been entrusted with the running of the project in an interim period, UDA RT, has already submitted their commercial plan and also bought 140 articulated buses ready for operation.
UDA RT is made up of UDA and Dar es Salaam Commuter Bus Owners’ Association (DARCOBOA). Eng Shauri urged Dar residents to be patient during this time when final touches are being made to prepare for commencement of the transport project.
“We wish this project could have started even on Tuesday, we are closely making follow ups, Dar residents will soon start enjoying the services,” he said.
He noted that UDA RT has already signed an agreement to provide the service and that a total of five completed bus stations along the project routes have already been handed over to them.
“The contractor will hand over the remaining bus stops before next February,” he said, adding that the project’s traffic lights will be functioning soon. UDA RT is now fixing special fair payment machines at the completed bus stations.
Explaining, he said an international tender for running of BRT system will be announced after the end of an interim period. According to the engineer, doors will be open to capable local investors who will want to compete in the tender that will conform to all required international standards.
It is expected that the city will have 11.5 million people by 2025 and hence a need to improve the road infrastructure. BRT system is expected to become the core public transport provider in the city, consisting of trunk buses operating on exclusive bus ways at the centre of major roads.
The project includes construction of 20.9 kilometres special trunk road from Kimara terminal to Kivukoni area, Msimbazi road from Fire to Kariakoo-Gerezani area and a part of Kawawa Road from Magomeni to Morocco junction.