Dar RC acts tough on DART management over dismal service

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner, Albert Chalamila, has ordered the Dar es Salaam Rapid Transit (DART) to order new buses as a solution to the firm’s dismal performance.

The RC has expressed his dissatisfaction with the services provided by the company, stating that they are substandard and do not meet the required criteria, thus causing inconvenience and problems for the many citizens who rely on this transport system.

The RC’s reaction came after he conducted a surprise visit at the Dar Rapid Transit (Mwendokasi)  station in Kimara, Dar es Salaam.

While speaking to the station’s operations manager, Chalamila expressed his dissatisfaction with the services provided by the company, stating that they were substandard and did not meet the required criteria, thus causing inconvenience and problems for the many citizens who rely on this transport system.

Chalamila also criticized the worn-out buses currently in use and called on the Dar es Salaam Rapid Transit (DART) to order new buses. “The buses have been in use for a very long time, nearly nine years now. This is unacceptable, and it goes against the President’s goal of simplifying transportation for the citizens,” Chalamila stated.

He further raised concerns over the shortage of buses and questioned how the limited number could serve the large number of people who depend on them.

During his visit, RC Chalamila was accompanied by the Ubungo District Commissioner, Albert Msando.

The District Commissioner praised Chalamila for the surprise visit, believing that it would help address the transport issues, which he said also negatively impact the economy, as people are often late to work and other activities that generate income.

Msando also mentioned that many of the buses are extremely old, rarely undergo repairs, and often break down, causing traffic jams.

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Msando inquired about the short-term measures that would be implemented to resolve the ongoing issues with the Mwendokasi transport system and when the new buses would arrive.

Daniel Madilu, the manager for schedule preparation and control, informed the Regional Commissioner that the company had ordered 100 new buses, which were expected to arrive in September this year.