Dar es Salaam commuter rail
{{Short description|Public transit system in Tanzania}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox public transit
|box_width=
|name=Dar es Salaam commuter rail
{{small|{{native phrase|sw|Huduma ya Treni ya Jiji la Dar es Salaam}}}}
|image=TAZARA Dar es Salaam Station.jpg
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|caption= The TAZARA station.
|owner= Tanzanian Government
|locale=Railway Street, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
|transit_type=Commuter rail
|lines=2
|stations=23
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|website={{URL|http://www.mwtc.go.tz/}}
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|began_operation=29 October 2012
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|operator=TAZARA
Tanzania Railways
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|system_length={{convert|32|km|abbr=on}}{{cite news |last= MUCHIRA |first=JOHN |date=22 June 2012 |title=Tanzania moves to revive Dar commuter rail service |url=http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/tanzania-moves-to-revive-dar-commuter-rail-service-2012-06-22 |publisher=engineeringnews.co.za |accessdate=3 December 2013}}
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|track_gauge={{RailGauge|1067mm}}
{{RailGauge|1000mm}}
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|el=1,500 V DC overhead catenary (planned)
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{{TRC Line}}
{{TAZARA Line}}
The Dar es Salaam commuter rail, informally known as Treni ya Mwakyembe ("Train of Mwakyembe"), is an urban and suburban commuter rail network serving the Tanzanian commercial city of Dar es Salaam.{{cite news |date=29 October 2012 |title=Dar es Salaam launches first commuter trains |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20122900 |publisher=BBC News |accessdate=3 December 2013}} It is one of the two initiatives taken by the government to ease travel within the congested city; the other being the Dar es Salaam bus rapid transit system. Services are provided by the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) and the Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC).
History
=Background=
Prior to its launch, the Dala dala was the only major means of intracity public transport.
=Launch=
The inaugural journey commenced on 29 October 2012.{{cite news |last=Mwachang`A |first=Devota |date=30 October 2012 |title=Dar residents happy with commuter train services |url=http://www.ippmedia.com/frontend/?l=47459 |publisher=IPP Media |accessdate=4 December 2013 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402115148/http://www.ippmedia.com/frontend/?l=47459 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |last=Mtweve |first=Sturmius |date=29 October 2012 |title=… Most residents were unaware |url=http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/News/-/1840392/1829106/-/eyq0a1z/-/index.html |newspaper=The Citizen (Tanzania) |accessdate=4 December 2013 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304035025/http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/News/-/1840392/1829106/-/eyq0a1z/-/index.html |url-status=dead }} The public affectionately refer to it as Treni ya Mwakyembe in honour of Harrison Mwakyembe, the Transport Minister at the time.{{cite news|last=Masha |first=Marycelina |date=29 October 2012 |title=Dar commuter trains easing transport nightmares |url=http://www.dailynews.co.tz/index.php/features/popular-features/17508-dar-es-salaam-commuter-trains-easing-transport-nightmares-helping-shape-passenger-dignity |newspaper=Daily News (Tanzania) |accessdate=3 December 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204231951/http://www.dailynews.co.tz/index.php/features/popular-features/17508-dar-es-salaam-commuter-trains-easing-transport-nightmares-helping-shape-passenger-dignity |archivedate=4 December 2013 }}
The Citizen reported in January 2013 that 'Zambia was opposed' to the project utilising the TAZARA track and that it wasn't 'properly consulted'. Zambian officials insisted that the matter ought to have been brought before the board of directors for approval as both the governments are equal shareholders.{{cite news |last=Kolumbia |first=Louis |date=7 January 2013 |title=Zambia feels cheated on commuter project |url=http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/News/-/1840340/1831886/-/97o903z/-/index.html |newspaper=The Citizen |accessdate=4 December 2013 |archive-date=12 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212183252/http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/News/-/1840340/1831886/-/97o903z/-/index.html |url-status=dead }} Minister Mwakyembe refuted these allegations saying all procedures were adhered to. An anonymous TAZARA board member commented that they had failed to convene their quarterly meeting for the past six months.{{cite news |date=17 January 2013 |title=Minister: Tazara commuter rail services proper |url=http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/News/-/1840392/1800300/-/f15adgz/-/index.html |newspaper=The Citizen |accessdate=4 December 2013 |archive-date=12 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212183058/http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/News/-/1840392/1800300/-/f15adgz/-/index.html |url-status=dead }}
The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport presented an award to Mwakyembe in December 2013 for introducing this service.{{cite news |date=21 December 2013 |title=Mwakyembe wins prize for train services |url=http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/News/Mwakyembe-wins-prize-for-train-services/-/1840392/2120854/-/ntnxeaz/-/index.html |newspaper=The Citizen |accessdate=28 December 2013 |archive-date=31 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231000142/http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/News/Mwakyembe-wins-prize-for-train-services/-/1840392/2120854/-/ntnxeaz/-/index.html |url-status=dead }}
The TRC Line launched on 1 August 2016, plying the airport route 3 times in the morning from 6 am and 3 times in the evening from 15.55 hours.
Routes
===TRC line===
TRC ({{railgauge|1000mm}}) operates a {{Cvt|20.0|km|4=1}} track from Pugu Station to the city centre via Gongo la Mboto, FFU mombasa, Banana, Karakata (Airport), Vingunguti Mbuzi, SS Bakhresa, Kamata (Kariakoo City BRT station) then finally Central.{{cite news |last=PETER |first=FELISTER |date=2 October 2012 |title=Dar commuter train service set to begin mid this month |url=http://www.ippmedia.com/frontend/?l=46466 |publisher=IPP Media |accessdate=4 December 2013}}
=TAZARA line=
TAZARA ({{railgauge|1067mm}}) offers two routes on its {{Cvt|20.5|km}} rail network.{{cite news |last=Kolumbia |first=Louis |date=29 October 2012 |title=Dar train services begin |url=http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/News/-/1840392/1829112/-/eyq099z/-/index.html |newspaper=The Citizen (Tanzania) |accessdate=4 December 2013 |archive-date=1 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301212011/http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/News/-/1840392/1829112/-/eyq099z/-/index.html |url-status=dead }} The first from its station in Dar es Salaam to Mwakanga which lies on the outskirts of the city. It stops at Kwa Fundi Umeme, Kwa Limboa, Lumo Kigilagila, Sigara, Kitunda road, Kipunguni B, Majohe and Magnus. The second service runs from its Dar es Salaam station to Kurasini via Kwa Fundi Umeme, Yombo, Chimwaga, Maputo, Mtoni Relini and Kwa Aziz Ali Relini.{{cite news |last= KAZOKA |first=LUDOVICK |date=27 October 2012 |title=Dar Commuter Train Starts on Monday |url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201210270291.html |accessdate=4 December 2013 }}
Operations
The service is available during the morning and evening rush hours throughout the week (excluding Sundays and public holidays).
=Ticket pricing=
TRC and TAZARA had proposed a fare of Tsh 800 (US$0.50) and 700 respectively for a single journey.{{cite news |last=RUGONZIBWA |first= PIUS |date=29 October 2012 |title=Views On Dar es Salaam Train Fares Halted | url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201210290119.html |newspaper =Daily News (Tanzania) |accessdate=4 December 2013}}
=Finance=
As of November 2013, the TRC line has been operating at a loss. It costs Tsh 4 million per day to run, whereas revenue from ticket sales stands at Tsh 2 million.{{cite news |last=Nachilongo |first=Hellen |date=11 November 2013 |title=A train ride worth Sh2m loss |url=http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/News/A-train-ride-worth-Sh2m-loss/-/1840392/2068448/-/acnhks/-/index.html |accessdate=4 December 2013 |archive-date=17 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131117085100/http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/News/A-train-ride-worth-Sh2m-loss/-/1840392/2068448/-/acnhks/-/index.html |url-status=dead }} The high operating cost has been attributed to the engines and wagons which aren't cost efficient for short journeys.{{cite news |last=wa Nyoka |first=Kiangiosekazi |date=20 July 2013 |title=Machiavellian way of doing things |url=http://dailynews.co.tz/index.php/columnists/columnists/20138-machiavellian-way-of-doing-things |newspaper=Daily News (Tanzania) |accessdate=4 December 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926112822/http://www.dailynews.co.tz/index.php/columnists/columnists/20138-machiavellian-way-of-doing-things |archivedate=26 September 2013 }}
=Future expansion=
In December 2019, TRC completed a feasibility study for 6 new railway routes within the network.{{Cite web |date=2020-10-29 |title=TRC eyes six commuter railway networks in Dar |url=https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/tanzania/news/business/trc-eyes-six-commuter-railway-networks-in-dar-2704758 |access-date=2024-04-14 |website=The Citizen |language=en}} Route A would link the Mikocheni, Mwenge, Ubungo, and Mtoni wards. Route B would link the Central Business District with Pugu and Karakata (Airport). Route C would connect Mwenge with Wazo Hill and Bagamoyo. Route D would circle the city, linking Vikindu Charambe with Kibiha. Route E would stop at several places, starting in Mtoni and ending in Mwenge. Route F links the Central Business District to Kigamboni.
Incidents
- On 26 January 2015 a train on the TAZARA line went astray onto the wrong track, and narrowly avoided colliding with another locomotive engine.{{cite news|last=Joel |first=Lawi |date=27 January 2015 |title=Narrow save as Mwakyembe train runs on wrong track |url=http://dailynews.co.tz/index.php/local-news/40875-narrow-shave-as-mwakyembe-train-runs-on-wrong-track |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150127152416/http://dailynews.co.tz/index.php/local-news/40875-narrow-shave-as-mwakyembe-train-runs-on-wrong-track |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 January 2015 |newspaper=Daily News |access-date=27 January 2015 }}
- On 17 October 2023 a passenger train on the TAZARA line collided head-on with a cargo train, injuring 62 people.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-21 |title=62 injured after trains collide head-on in Dar |url=https://legacy.ippmedia.com/en/news/62-injured-after-trains-collide-head-dar |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240414174615/https://legacy.ippmedia.com/en/news/62-injured-after-trains-collide-head-dar |archive-date=2024-04-14 |access-date=2024-04-14 |website=IPP Media |language=en}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{youtube|EsMdY06EMI0}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20131204235952/http://www.dailynews.co.tz/index.php/columnists/columnists/lawi-joel/21681-when-i-missed-the-train When I missed the train], by Lawi Joel, Daily News.
{{coord|6.81629|S|39.266651|E|display=title|type:rail_region:TZ-source:google_maps}}
{{Urban rail transit in Africa}}
Category:Transport in Dar es Salaam
Category:Rail transport in Tanzania
Category:Metre-gauge railways in Tanzania