Faith Nyasuguta
Tanzania has taken a significant step forward in modernizing its railway system with the arrival of two new electric multiple-unit (EMU) trains from South Korea. These trains, each consisting of eight carriages, will operate on the new standard gauge railway (SGR) route connecting the commercial hub Dar es Salaam and the capital city Dodoma, with services scheduled to begin on July 25.
An express train service is also set to be launched between Dar es Salaam and Morogoro, reducing the travel time from four hours by bus to just one hour and 40 minutes. The express train will depart from Dar es Salaam at 6 a.m. and return at 7:10 p.m. From Morogoro, it will leave at 6:20 a.m. and return at 7:30 p.m. This new service will add to the four daily SGR trips on the route. Regular trains, which make stops along the route, will depart from Dar es Salaam at 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., and from Morogoro at 9:30 a.m. and 4:20 p.m.
The Tanzania Railway Corporation (TRC) plans to adjust the number of trains based on passenger demand. They have advised passengers to book tickets either on the TRC website or at train stations at least two hours before departure to avoid congestion.
Tanzania has acquired 10 sets of locomotives and coaches from the Hyundai Rotem Company of South Korea. Each set includes eight wagons with a locomotive at both the front and back, capable of carrying 589 passengers and traveling at speeds of up to 160 kilometers per hour. With the latest arrivals, Tanzania now has three EMUs. The first set, which arrived in April this year, has been used for test runs.
The TRC has received a total of 65 passenger wagons, 17 electric locomotives, and three sets of EMU trains. The equipment for the SGR operations is arriving in different phases and will undergo testing before being put into service.
In April, Tanzania received its first batch of electric locomotives to run on the newly constructed SGR, which was set to begin operations this month. This batch included five electric multiple-unit trains and three passenger coaches, which were received by the TRC.
Tanzania signed a $295.74 million deal with the Korean manufacturer on July 14, 2021, for the delivery of 17 locomotives, 10 sets of EMUs, and one electric locomotive simulator.
The Minister for Transport, Professor Makame Mbarawa, announced that additional sets of EMU trains are expected to arrive on a monthly basis until October this year. The newly arrived equipment will continue to undergo testing to ensure safety and reliability before full service commences.
This initiative marks a major milestone in Tanzania’s efforts to enhance its transportation infrastructure and provide faster, more efficient travel options for its citizens.
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