THE Dar es Salaam Rapid Transit (DART) operating the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network has been directed to seek out capable local companies to complement its services.

Mohamed Mchengerwa, the Local Governments and Regional Administration state minister in the President’s Office (PO-RALG) issued this directive at the launch of smart turnstile gates and smartcards for passengers in BRT stations in Dar es Salaam yesterday.

He was confident that local firms capable of investing in a fleet of modern buses could more effectively serve city residents, noting that if Tanzanian companies can purchase quality and modern buses and serve passengers across the country, they cannot fail to serve residents in Dar es Salaam.

 “DART should explore creative solutions to overcome current transport challenges. We have several potential investors, including Tanzanians, who are well-positioned to improve our transport system,” he said, insisting that DART should collaborate with local companies that can procure buses and deliver efficient services, rather than solely relying on foreign deliveries.

 “We shouldn’t wait for foreign investors while there are a number of Tanzanians with huge investment in the transport sector," he said, pointing out that others are those who have up to 300 buses that ply various regions and neighbouring countries. “We need to cooperate with them and push this transport forward,” he declared.

He said that BRT phase II, including the section from Gerezani to Mbagala needs over 700 buses, which calls for potential and innovative companies to cater for this demand.

DART executives need to come out of their offices and visit stations to supervise smooth provision of transport services, he said, acknowledging that the government has been shown some gaps in the BRT service structure.

”We promise to address challenges facing people in this public transport,” he said., commending DART for coming up with the smart cards initiative, to swipe and make their way into stations, saving time.

The government has invested heavily in modern transport infrastructure including the BRT project where a number of roads are currently under construction and once completed, will greatly help ease transport services in the city, he said.

DART plans to shift to cashless services, starting to install smart turnstile gates at boarding stations to allow smooth passage of passengers.

DART CEO Dr Athumani Kihamia said installing smart gates started with BRT phase one route, from the city centre to Ubungo and Kimara. “The gates are strong, built to last long. As the gates have started operation, passengers will now experience smooth services in the stations,” he said.

DART is also installing an intelligent transportation system (ITS) application to monitor bus movements, he said.

Justine Nyamoga, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Regional Administration and Local Government., commended the government for taking MPs’ suggestions to install smart gates and cards.

He was optimistic about addressing challenges of shortage of buses in the BRT services by attracting private investors to chip in.

Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Albert Chalamila said that despite challenges, the BRT project is a huge transport relief to thousands of city residents since it commenced services in 2016.

Increased efforts to ensure that loopholes and challenges are solved to facilitate provision of smooth and timely transport services to the residents is vital, he added.