THE government has announced a shift to a public-private partnership (PPP) model for the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project in Dar es Salaam, with three service providers introducing buses next month to address the city's transport challenges.

Gerson Msigwa, the Information, Culture, Arts and Sports permanent secretary and chief government spokesman, made this affirmation at a press briefing here yesterday.

He acknowledged existing challenges with the BRT system, stressing the government's resolve for partnership with the private sector to expand the bus fleet.

Three service providers have been secured for the new Mbagala route and they will introduce a substantial number of buses, while traditional service provider UDART expects to add 150 buses, he said.

These changes will significantly alleviate traffic congestion in Dar es Salaam, as the major infrastructure investments in the city, including BRT roads and facilities, unlock access to new city circuit destinations. The government was working on restoring rapid bus transit services to Kibaha, he declared.

Separately, he directed all institutions documenting achievements of the current administration to submit their reports to the Directorate of Information, cautioning that non-compliance institutions will be required to provide justifications for their failure to do so.

Ephatar Mlavi, the Tanzania Roads Agency (Tanroads) director of infrastructure planning, provided an update on the project's progress, noting that phase three of the BRT, spanning 23.3 kilometers from the city center to Gongo la Mboto, is currently 74 percent complete.

Phase four, covering 30.1 kilometers from the city center to Tegeta, stands at 22 percent of total works while phase five, comprising 25.4 kilometers from Ubungo to the port and Segerea to Tabata-Kigogo, is in its final procurement stages.

Shifting to public-private partnership follows expression of concern by the Public Investments Committee (PIC) expressing concern regarding the limited progress of service provision in the BRT.