PRIVATE investors are being asked to take up projects in rail transport services and special road transport in major cities.

Henry Magombana, assistant director for road services at the Ministry of Transport told a stakeholders’ meeting in Dar es Salaam on Monday, called to discuss new regulations aimed at introducing cable-car transport and private railway operators, among other objectives.

Organised by the Land Transport Regulatory Authority (LATRA), the meeting sought for stakeholders to share their views on a series of proposed regulations designed to improve governance and operational standards in the land transport sector.

The regulations discussed include the LATRA (Licensing of Railway Operators) Regulations of 2024, the LATRA (Cable Transport) Regulations of 2024, and the Transport Licensing (Exclusive Public Transport Licence) Regulations of 2024.

He said that the government was introducing the regulations for improvements made to current transport laws, thus invited stakeholders to review suggested regulations.

Among the transportation areas that LATRA wants the private sector to invest in is express bus transportation in cities, citing cable transport services, where the regulator will begin to register service providers in the sub-sector, issuing special licenses for the purpose.

Stakeholderso will be able to apply for licenses once the regulations are finalised, he said, affirming that this initiative is aligned with the government’s ongoing infrastructure development efforts, particularly in rail and road construction. 

Habibu Suluo, the LATRA director general, said that the regulations are meant to improve public and freight services, with stakeholder feedback being incorporated to enhance their effectiveness.

The special licenses for road service providers in urban areas will primarily focus on bus rapid transit (BRT) systems, he said, underlining that the government wants the private sector to provide these services. 

“For instance, private bus operators in the city can form a consortium and be awarded contracts to operate with specific fare structures as even the routes will be designated for these services,” he said.

The main goal is to address urban transport within the city limits of Dar es Salaam, covering routes within the city and slightly outside, not long-distance travel to other regions, he stated.

Cable transport is mainly designed to promote tourism, as research has shown that many people using cable transport services do so for leisure purposes.

"This regulation is aimed at ensuring safety for investors, infrastructure development and operational standards,” he specified.

Engaging stakeholders is essential for ensuring the regulations effectively address industry challenges and promote sustainable development in the transport sector, he added.