Chief Executive of Dar es Salaam Rapid Transit (DART) Agency, Ms Asteria Mlambo (second left seated) and representatives of a newly formed company, UDA Rapid Transit, Mr Robert Kisena (third right) and Mr Sabri Mabruki (first left) sign an agreement where the company will run Bus Rapid Transit project in an interim period. Witnessing the event include State Minister, Prime Minister’s Office, Regional Administration and Local Government, Ms Hawa Ghasia (second left standing) and the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr Jumanne Sagini (left). File photo)
 
THE Dar es Salaam Rapid Transit Agency (DART) wants to test its completed infrastructure, give some relief to Dar es Salaam commuters and stave off misuse and destruction of the infrastructure. It has commissioned UDA-RT to provide interim services.
  Our Correspondent MOSES FERDINAND talked to DART’s Chief Executive, Mrs Asteria Mlambo. Excerpts...
QUESTION: What is the interim period we are being told in relation to BRT services?

ANSWER: On 24th April, 2015,  the DART Agency signed a contract with a UDA-RT (UDA Rapid Transit) for the provision of Interim Services. UDA-RT is a special purpose company formed by UDA and the two Daladala Associations DARCOBOA and UWADAR for the provision of interim services.
Q: Why have you found it wise and necessary on your part to provide interim services on your BRT system?

A: There are three reasons why the DART Agency has launched interim services, The reasons are:

 (i) to provide relief to the commuters in Dar es Salaam; 
 (ii) to make use of the infrastructure constructed and to curb its misuse and destruction; and (iii) to provide a training ground for all concerned, and build local capacity in view of the provision of full services.

UDA-RT is to procure 76 large new buses according to BRT specifications and to commence operations between Mbezi - Kimara - Ubungo and Kivukoni by September. 2015.
Two buses of the above are to arrive within two months and will be used to train drivers.
Q: What is the significance of ‘interim’ services to your prospective commuters?

A: The Interim Services are not to be confused with full services which are planned to commence by end of 2016. Interim Services will essentially provide express services for those who commute long distances.

The 76 buses will not be sufficient to serve all the commuters in the corridor. Services will not be provided on the two branches of the BRT system which still need to be completed, namely on Kawawa road and Msimbazi street. Daladalas will still run in parallel to the DART buses.
The fares on the DART buses are planned to be TZS 700 from Kimara to Kivukoni and TZS 900 from Mbezi to Kivukoni. These fares still need to be approved by SUMATRA, but if approved will be more expensive than a daladala trip.
So it will be recommendable for a commuter who does shorter trips to use a daladala, while for longer trips it will be advantageous to use a DART bus, due to its shorter commuting time and higher comfort.
Q: Is UDA-RT replacing DART agency in some way?

 A: No! UDA-RT is not going to replace the DART Agency. The DART Agency will be the licence holder and will regulate UDA-RT as per the signed services agreement.
UDA-RT is the service provider who will operate the buses as per the agreed schedule.
Q: Then what has this company to do with DART BRT services?
A: The purpose of UDART is to provide interim bus services. Once the full service provider has been selected, the intention is to fully integrate the two.

Q: We have learnt through the press about the Interim Services Provider (ISP) Agreement. Which interests of a commuter is protected by this agreement?

A: The ISP Agreement has many Schedules. In these Schedules the quantity and quality of the services to be provided is described in detail. For example the buses must be clean, each day and must be operated according to a set schedule which will be known to the commuters. There is a system of payment deductions if the service provider fails to adhere to the agreement.

Q: Who will oversee commuter services during the interim period and be held responsible for any eventuality?

 A: As I have just explained, the DART Agency will oversee the provision of services and will have the remedies to ensure that the operator adheres to the standards agreed. The DART Agency will establish a complaint line over which commuters can express their dissatisfaction (or satisfaction).

Q: How many commuters is Dar es Salaam estimated to have in a day?

A: Dar es Salaam currently has about 5 million inhabitants. They do an estimated 7 to 8 million trips each day. Commuter trips of these are about 5 million per day. An estimated 3-4 million of these commuter trips are done by daladalas and the rest by private cars, bajajis, bodaboda and walking. During the interim services period an estimated 130,000 people will make use of the DART system, while during full operations the DART system will transport about 500,000 people each day.

Q: We have been told that for a start UDA-RT will buy 76 new buses that meet DART standards. Why is it limiting itself to 76 buses?

A: UDA-RT has been selected on a sole source basis, which means without a competitive process. The Tanzanian procurement law allows such selection for the purpose of creating local capacity. UDA-RT is the current providers of public transport in Dar es Salaam.
They deserve to be part of the future transport system, but they have no experience in operating a BRT system, nor with the planned Smart card based fare payment system. So it was decided to allow them to provide interim services (which are about 25 per cent of the full services) in order to gain experience and also to relieve the plight of the commuters and to make use of the completed infrastructure.
In the meantime the DART Agency launches an international competitive bid and will select someone with BRT and Smart card experience. To be selected such bidder must show willingness to integrate with the Interim Service Provider.
Q: Will commuters use the present daladala buses during the interim period comfortably?

A: Yes, daladalas will still operate during the interim period, even in the Morogoro corridor. It is estimated that the interim services will replace about 250 daladalas.
These will be either compensated or rerouted to other routes which still need daladala services. As said above it is recommended that commuters with long commutes should make use of the DART services while for shorter trips it may still be advantageous to make use of daladalas.