THE Tanzania Railway Corporation (TRC) has received the second consignment of two sets of Electric Multiple Units (EMUs) and eight electric locomotives from South Korea.

One set of EMUs consists of eight passenger carriages and two engines on both sides (does not require separate engines).

Jamila Mbarouk, TRC Head of Communication unit said in a statement yesterday that the government through the firm procured 10 sets of EMU manufactured by Hyundai Rotem of South Korea.

Jamila said that the two sets make a total number of three sets arrived so far adding that the first set arrived in April this year and was under test drive.

She said that so far, TRC has received a total of 65 passenger coaches, 17 electric locomotives, and three sets of EMUs.

“The arrival of rolling stocks will be in phases and upon arrival will undergo a test drive to meet the required criteria as per the Land Transport Regulatory Authority (LATRA),” she said.

Jamila said that the initial operations services from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro are still going, adding that the official flag-off from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma region will be later this month.

On Monday, TRC announced that the new express train services from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro will start on July 5, this year.

The statement noted that the express trains will be taking off from Dar es Salaam at 6:00 am and 7:10 pm and from Morogoro at 6:20 am and 7:30 pm.

“We have increased our routes due to alarming demand and with these introductions, there will be eight trips in a day with 14 wagons,” said part of the statement.

Two months ago, Tanzania conducted the inaugural test run of a train on its Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) between Dar es Salaam and its capital Dodoma.

The first journey was flagged off by Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa followed by the initial operation of services from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro on July 14 this year.

The inaugural service also saw the government assuring Tanzanians that the 627km line would open by July 2024, with 65 of the 89 passenger carriages ordered for the services already delivered.

Masanja Kadogosa, TRC Director General said: “We are very much waiting for the cargo carriages because that is where there are more economic benefits and opportunities.”