http://www.touch.dailynews.co.tz/index.php/features/44670-dart-interim-bus-services-set-for-take-off
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.
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