Mwendokasi: From chaos to commuter chic, it’s time for rapid revamp

DAR ES SALAAM: AH, Mwendokasi! Seven years ago, it was the gleaming hope of Dar es Salaam’s future, a sleek, efficient and rapid transport system that promised to change the game for the city’s frazzled commuters.

Fast forward to today and that gleam has… well, it’s been somewhat buried under piles of sweat, frustration and a few too many elbows jabbing into your ribs at bus stops.

Let’s not sugarcoat it Mwendokasi is struggling. A recent commuter summed it up nicely, saying, “If given the chance, even I could do a better job.”

And honestly, at this point, you might want to consider applying for the position of bus manager yourself, because how hard can it be to run a bus system, right? But before we throw in the towel, let’s dig a little deeper.

The frustration of the passengers is palpable especially with those who are still clinging to the hope that Mwendokasi will one day live up to its name: “Rapid.”

In reality, it feels more like a wrestling match with a few quick pit stops in between. Getting on a bus has become a contact sport, where only the strongest survive.

The boarding process is now a full-body workout: elbows out, knees bent and if you’re not quick on your feet, you’re getting left behind. And let’s be honest most of the time, it’s the elderly, women and children who are left to wonder if there’s a Mwendokasi bus for them at all.

So, what’s the deal? How did the hope of Dar es Salaam turn into a sweaty, chaotic scramble? According to some passengers, it’s not exactly a mystery.

“We’re lazy and corrupt,” one commuter bluntly pointed out. Ouch. While that’s harsh, there may be a kernel of truth in there. The system’s failure doesn’t come down to a lack of resources it’s about the lack of seriousness and commitment from those running it.

A little TLC and some good old-fashioned accountability could go a long way. It’s clear that the current management is, well, not doing enough. When the people who were trusted with the responsibility of making things work fall short, the consequences are felt by the public, who are stuck dealing with overcrowded buses, delays and a general sense of chaos.

But we’re not here just to point fingers we’ve got solutions in mind! First off, let’s talk numbers. The solution to overcrowding is pretty simple: more buses.

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If you’re running late to work and can’t get on the first bus because it’s full, you’re not exactly thinking about the long-term sustainability of the system you’re just annoyed. More buses fewer people fighting for space. Let’s make it happen.

Next up, route planning. Traffic jams in Dar es Salaam aren’t just a bad dream they’re a daily reality. But surely, with a bit of effort and some smart planning, we can avoid the bottlenecks that cause buses to crawl along at a snail’s pace.

A few tweaks here and there could mean less time stuck in traffic and more time actually getting to your destination. And while we’re dreaming big, let’s add another crucial element to the mix: dignity. The Mwendokasi system should be a place where passengers feel safe and respected.

The chaos at the bus stops is like a freefor-all and let’s be honest, it doesn’t make for a pleasant commuting experience. We need campaigns that teach people how to behave like responsible, polite human beings.

It’s time to ditch the shoving and the shouting and instead embrace order and respect. Perhaps there could even be fines for bad behaviour consider it a small price to pay for a smoother, more pleasant ride. But let’s not forget the importance of proper management.

If the folks running Mwendokasi can’t keep it together, then it’s time for a change. Perhaps it’s time to hand the reins over to local companies that have experience in managing transport systems after all, they know how to deal with the daladala hustle.

Managing a system like Mwendokasi may seem complex, but it’s not rocket science. It just requires a little more seriousness and a lot less bureaucracy.

For now, Dar es Salaam commuters will continue to endure. We’ll keep sweating, coughing and dreaming of a better commute.

But with the right action, the dream of Mwendokasi can be revived. It’s not impossible. With more buses, better planning and a renewed focus on passenger safety and dignity, the system can become the rapid, efficient lifeline the city so desperately needs.

Until then, let’s hold on to that flicker of hope. The future of Mwendokasi doesn’t have to be a sweaty, overcrowded mess.

A little effort from all sides and we could all soon be living the rapid dream once more without the elbowing, the chaos and, most importantly, with dignity restored. So, let’s stop talking about it and start doing it. Mwendokasi, it’s time to get your act together!