DAR ES SALAAM: THE government has directed the Dar es Salaam Rapid Transport Agency (DART), to adhere to the scheduled commencement of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) services for phases II and III.
Deputy Minister in the President’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government Authorities (PO-RALG), Zainabu Katimba issued the directives during an inspection visit by the Local Government Affairs Committee over the weekend, to assess the progress of the BRT phase II and III constructions within Dar es Salaam.
She said that the instruction is part of the government’s commitment to ensuring that citizens benefit from the planned transport enhancements without delay, thus, she underscored the necessity for DART’s contractors to expedite the projects.
“We are aware of the problem with the ongoing rain. Regardless, you should complete the task within the allotted time as the government is accommodating and has given the Nyerere Road (BRT III) contractors more time,” she stated.
The committee’s assessment focused on the progress of the BRT phase II and III constructions within the city as well as assessing the construction work status of the new Kariakoo Markets.
According to her, the BRT Phase II, spanning 20.3 kilometres from Mbagala to Gerezani, is nearing completion with a reported progress of 98.9 per cent, while the BRT Phase III, which extends 17.92 kilometres from Bibi-Titi Street and Nyerere Road, passing Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) to the Gongo la Mboto Bus Terminal, has reached the halfway mark at 50 per cent.
Acknowledging the challenges posed by seasonal rains, deputy minister assured that the government has granted an extension to the contractors working on Nyerere Road. She further urged them to meet the new deadlines without further delays.
For his part, the ViceChairman of the Committee, Justin Nyamoga expressed satisfaction with the construction progress in the inspected areas. However, he has also tasked DART leadership to accelerate the implementation of the BRT service, to promptly serve the local communities.
“For instance, in the Mbagala (BRT II) project, which is almost done, accelerating the implementation of the high-speed transport service is essential to promptly serving the local communities and improving connectivity within the city. “This initiative will not only enhance convenience for commuters but also boost economic growth and strengthen social bonds,” he remarked.
DART’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Athumani Kihamia, acknowledged the parliamentary committee’s recommendations and said they were committed to launching services for BRT Phase II for GerezaniMbagala commuters by February of the following year.
He also projected that BRT Phase III services along Nyerere Road, catering to Gongolamboto residents, would commence by March next year. Dr Kihamia cited the intricate process of procuring custom-ordered buses from overseas as the primary cause for the BRT II project’s delays, assuring that these steps are being addressed to facilitate the timely rollout of services.
The BRT Project-Phase II involves the construction of infrastructure that includes 20.3km of exclusive BRT lanes and Non-Motorised Transport (NMT) facilities along Kilwa Road corridor and part of Kawawa Road.
The project corridor traverses from Mbagala Area in Temeke District to the Central Business District where it connects with Phase 1 of the BRT system at the Kariakoo hub and was at first planned to be implemented over a fouryear period (2016-2020) with the total cost net of taxes of 285.1bn/-.
While the BRT Phase III costing 148.1 million US dollars project involves the construction of a 23.6km infrastructure project stretching from the Nyerere-Gongolamboto Road to City Centre and a section of the Uhuru Road from Tazara to Kariakoo-Gerezani.
