DART sticks to guns on bus fares.

By Abela Msikula

Surface and Marine Transport Regulatory Authority (Sumatra).

Despite a recent pubic outcry against Dar es Salaam Bus Rapid Transit (DART) fares, the firm has vowed not to change the proposed fare structure of Sh900, basing on the quality of the imminent services, due to take-off early next month.

 

Last week the Surface and Marine Transport Regulatory Authority (Sumatra) issued a notice inviting public comment on the proposed DART bus fares.

 

According to the notice, the proposed fare is Sh700 for passengers travelling on trunk roads, Sh500 for feeder roads users, and Sh900 for those using both feeder and trunk roads.

 

However, the DART position has pre-emptied the views of other stakeholders, including would-be passengers, because the motive for the Sumatra invitation of public views was to reach an informed decision embracing the concerns of all the stakeholders.  

 

However, some passengers have shown dissatisfaction with the proposed fares on the ground that although the DART network was confined to a few areas of the city, they would now be compelled to incur more cost on transport when they connect to the network. 

 

On its completion, the DART network will include 130.3 kilometrers comprising 18 terminals and 228 stations. 

 

However, the main attraction points so far covered in the initial phase include Kariakoo, Kivukoni, Posta, Ubungo, Magomeni, Manzese and Kimara, covering 20.9 kilometres with 31 stations and five terminals.

 

According to an earlier survey, the first phase of the project is expected to transport 290,000 passengers daily. 

However, DART Engineer, John Shauri, told The Guardian that the proposed fares were reasonable as they were set basing on a detailed survey. 

 

He asserted that the survey involved people who have experienced hurdles with the current transport system, especially during morning and evening rush hours. 

 

The survey, according to him, showed that some passengers were forced to use alternative means of transport, such as taxi motorcycles (bodaboda) and official and pirate taxis, to reach their respective destinations.

 

Eng. Shauri added that the survey indicated that no alternative means of transport which charged less than Sh2,000, regardless of the distance, besides the time wasted in traffic jams.

 

“Those using commuter buses are in more serious trouble due to various reasons, including overcrowding at both bus stands and in vehicles. Also, their property is always at risk as they intermingle with thieves,” he added.

 

Apart from comfort, extra cost avoidance and the assurance to reach one’s destination in time, which are the features of the DART system, fares would be discounted whenever they change buses.

 

He said passengers using feeder roads would have to pay Sh500 and if one decides to connect to a trunk road, they would have to pay only Sh400 instead of Sh900. 

 

“Passengers using feeder roads will pay Sh500 and will be forced to pay Sh400 only if they connect to a trunk road,” he said, adding that if they connected again to the feeder road, they would have a huge discount and pay a mere Sh100, the total of which was only Sh1,000. 

 

In its initial stage, DART proposes that passengers will be required to use electronic fare tickets for a day’s trips, regardless of whether they change routes or not.

 

“Electronic tickets will expire once the passenger is out of the network. Validity of the ticket is when a passenger gets out from feeder road service and connects to trunk route, and vice versa,” said Eng. Shauri.

 

He elaborated that that a passenger from a Mbezi feeder road to Kimara where the trunk road starts, to Kivukoni, for instance, would pay only Sh900 and their tickets would expire at Kivukoni. 

 

According to DART, first phase operations kick off on October 1(next month).

 

Responding to a question as to how the buses would be able to beat traffic jams at junctions where private vehicles also pass, chairperson of UDA-ART, Sabri Mabruki, said traffic lights would be set in a way to favour the project buses.

 

Mabruki said the lights would be set in such a manner that whenever the buses were at junctions, the traffic lights would automatically allow them to pass.

 

“This is because private vehicle users are not over 10 per cent of the city’s residents. The target is to serve many people at once,” he said, adding “We also target convincing private motorists to switch to our services,” he said.

 

Asked to comment on the proposed bus fares, Mabruki said the running of the project was in the hands of DART.

 

Currently, UDA-ART is the only shareholder in the project, a collaboration between UDA Bus Company and other daladala operators.

 

“The firm is also responsible for providing the service and operation of the DART project. DART agency, on the other hand, is the licensed holder with power to regulate the shareholders,” said Mabruki.

 

 Shukuru Elisha, a city resident, commented that the project might help in reducing current transport blues in the city once a discount in fares will be put in place.

 

He agreed that in Kibamba where he lives, transport was always problematic in morning and evening  hours, adding, “Many have been switching to private vehicles, paying twice or thrice more than the official fare in an effort to reach their destination.”

 

Jane Sanga was opposed to proposed bus fares, saying she personally expected there would be a reduction in the current bus fares, which is Sh600 from Mbezi to Kivukoni.

 

However, she admitted spending more money for having to take two buses or private transport from Mbezi to her working place at Ubungo.

 

“I thought the project would come up with more people-friendly fares, but, alas, it seems that is not to happen soon,” she lamented.