BRT Phase II: Daladala face deadline ahead of July 1 launch

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Land Transport Regulatory Authority (LATRA) has issued a one-week ultimatum to daladala operators to stop picking up and dropping off passengers at undesignated points within the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Phase II infrastructure, which runs from Mbagala to Kariakoo and Kivukoni.

The directive comes just days before the rapid transit buses, which have been operating on a trial basis, officially commence full commercial operations on July 1 this year.

Speaking during a special inspection tour to assess operations of Mofat Company Limited in Dar es Salaam today , LATRA Director General Habibu Suluo said the investment is currently facing challenges due to continued operations of daladala along routes already allocated to the BRT system.

He noted that out of 200 buses invested by the company, only 50—equivalent to 25 per cent—are currently in operation, mainly due to overlapping services.

“Daladala picking up passengers from Mbagala will be required to drop them at Kariakoo or Kivukoni without stopping to pick or drop passengers along the BRT infrastructure,” Suluo stressed.
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He added that strict measures will be taken against operators who violate the directive, stressing the need to protect the investment and ensure safe and efficient public transport services.

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Suluo further said the government will continue working with all stakeholders to strengthen the public transport system, safeguard existing investments and attract more investors into the sector.

Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of the Dar Rapid Transit Agency (DART), Said Tunda, said efforts are underway to eliminate unnecessary overlaps and ensure both the investor and daladala operators benefit from the system.

“What we are doing now is to organise the sector so that all those who were previously in the business can transition into a modern system without losing their jobs. No one will lose employment; instead, more formal jobs will be created,” he said.

Mofat Company Limited Managing Director, Mohamed Kassim, said the low number of operational buses is not only a burden to the company but also limits employment opportunities.

“If all 200 buses were operational, we would employ between 1,200 and 1,300 workers. However, currently we only have 423 employees because only 50 buses are in service,” he explained.