THE Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) has introduced additional services using electric multiple units (EMUs) from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma, responding to increasing demand for rapid rail transport.

Masanja Kadogosa, the TRC director general, explained the move at the launching event yesterday, affirming the start of the new route scheduled right away, being four daily trips from the commercial hub to the capital.

Despite this expansion of services, demand for regular passenger transport niches remains high, with 9,000 to 10,000 passengers using the route on a daily basis, highlighting the need for enhanced transport solutions, he said.

“To address this, TRC plans to deploy two more pairs of EMUs to accommodate future increases in passenger numbers,” he elaborated, asserting that the new EMUs accentuate the faster, more comfortable travel between the two cities.

There is a shift in the charges with passengers traveling by EMU from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma set to pay 120,000 /- for business class and 150,000 /- for VIP class, with Rosemary Senyamule, the Dodoma regional commissioner, praising the move.

She highlighted the significant economic impacts of the new transportation route, its potential to enhance business flow and increase income for local entrepreneurs, applauding efforts by the government in this direction.

This project is expected to create new opportunities and bolster local commerce, as with increased connectivity and anticipated economic growth, the region looks forward to the transformative effects of this project on its community and local businesses, she stated.

Edgar Bakuza, a TRC mechanical engineer, said that the new EMU trains feature high acceleration speeds that reduce travel time, from 3.45 hours at the start to 3.15 hours.

The train has an innovative L-foil shape which enhances performance by allowing it to glide efficiently through the air, the technician specified.

The passenger service was launched in July when President Samia Suluhu Hassan set the ball rolling for electric train services of the standard gauge railway (SGR), urging TRC to integrate these services with other sectors to improve the transportation of goods.

“This is not just a railway; it is a lifeline that will enhance trade and spur economic growth," she remarked, demanding that the Transport ministry work to ensure that Tanzanians fully benefit from these services.

TRC needs to prioritize the timely completion of ongoing construction while maintaining high standards, she said of the ongoing project.

As the rail network expands, TRC seeks to position itself as a key player in Tanzania’s transport sector fostering greater economic connectivity across the country, the CEO intoned.