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Rapid bus project generates excitement
2006-07-16 10:14:47
By Correspondent Nasser Kigwangallah
Many Dar es Salaam residents have hailed the recent government decision to sanction the Dar es Salaam Rapid Transit (DART) to be launched in the city soon.
They have termed the move a move in the right direction.
The residents said the project to be operated jointly by the Dar es Salaam City Council, the government and the private sector, if properly implemented, would ease congestion in the city and enable commuters to reach their work places and other destinations on time.
Last week, the cabinet sanctioned the project, the proposal of which had been tabled by the Minister for Regional Administration and Local Government, Mizengo Pinda.
A survey carried out by the Sunday Observer in various parts of the city during the week, has revealed that many people want the project to start soon so that transportation hardships which they face on a daily routine can come to an end.
Joachim Siwale, who lives at Gongo la Mboto, said he was happy to hear that the project had received the President’s backing, which was a clear indication that this government was determined to alleviate problems being experienced by its citizens, particularly transport in Dar es Salaam and other places in the country.
’’Being one of the hundreds of poor people who use commuter buses daily, I am extremely happy to hear that our President has sanctioned the Dar Rapid Transit to take off in Dar es Salaam,’’ he said.
He added that the project would indeed revolutionalise the transport system in the city, which has been the cry of all Dar es Salaam residents.
However, Omary Salum, a food vendor at Kariakoo Market, who said he resides at Mbezi Kwa Msuguru, was pessimistic.
He said he has been hearing news of the Dar Rapid Transit for the last three years, but no buses have been seen in the roads to-date.
’’I have heard of the project since 2003, but I am not sure if we are being cheated or not, because nothing so far has materialized,’’ he revealed.
He said it was obviously another elephant Dar residents have been promised to no avail and claimed that the whole idea was aimed at filling the pockets of officials through this project.
However, he added, if it is true that the project was in the offing, he welcomed it, because it would make it easy for him and others to reach their places of work and other destinations without difficulties.
Hans Mbonela, a Form II student at a private school in Mbagala, said he clapped his hands excitedly after hearing that the President had sanctioned the project.
He said he was sure the Dar Rapid Transit project would be welcomed by all students in the city who wake up early in the morning but reach their schools late due to transportation problem.
’’We are being harassed by unruly touts, conductors and drivers of daladala buses daily as if we were a nuisance to them,’’ he said.
Mariam Jamal Abdul, an elderly house-wife residing at Tegeta - Kibaoni on the outskirts of the city said once the project started in earnest, old men and women would be relieved of transportation problems which they face from time to time whenever they want to travel.
She said it was a pity to see an elderly person squeezing herself in a crowded mini-bus standing , worsening her already deteriorated health.
’’I would appreciate if the Dar Rapid Transit project would start soon so that our long outstanding problems of transport in the city can come to an abrupt end,’’ she stressed.
Briefing journalists in her office recently on the progress of the Dar Rapid Transit, Asteria Mlambo, Head, Transportation Unit and Co-ordinator, said final touches of the project were underway.
She said what was being awaited was financial support from the World Bank, the government and other financiers so that buses could be bought, and roads as well as terminal centers rehabilitated.
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