DODOMA Regional Commissioner Rosemary Senyamule has directed the Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) to increase the number of ticket scanner machines to avoid jams at the exit gate of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) station in the city.

Senyamule issued the order yesterday after inspecting the station and observing the delays caused by the small number of ticket-checking machines during   departures.

“President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s development of the SGR is a significant positive step, but we now hear complaints of insufficient ticket scanner   machines,” Senyamule said.

She directed that the exit gate should be separated for   cars and motorcycles to help reduce the traffic jam.

The RC said: “I expect the implementation of the  directives within one week, not exceeding a month, to address the inconvenience faced by commuters. People are using the train to save time, but they are being delayed here. Some are even falling ill because of the long wait.”

During her visit, Senyamule observed vehicles queuing for more than 41 minutes before going through the machine, raising concerns about how long the delays would be for others in the queue.

The issue was also raised on February 7 by Mohamed Mchengerwa, the Minister of State in the President’s Office-Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), who urged   Dodoma regional commissioner, the city director and the district commissioner to collaborate with TRC to improve passenger flow.

“It is unacceptable. The President has provided the funds, and it is your responsibility to ensure smooth operations for passengers,” Mchengerwa said.

He urged local authorities to work together with the Ministry of Transport to establish    efficient system for entry and exit at the station.