Tanzania Launches Modern Electric Railway Service

The Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) has inaugurated passenger services on the 440km section of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) connecting Dar es Salaam to the capital, Dodoma. This milestone marks a significant advancement in the country’s transport infrastructure.

The newly launched service currently operates two train pairs daily between the two cities. An Express service departs Dodoma at 05:30, arriving in Dar es Salaam at 08:45, with a return Express service leaving Dar es Salaam at 06:00 and reaching Dodoma at 09:25. Additionally, a conventional service leaves Dodoma at 17:30, arriving in Dar es Salaam at 21:05, while another train departs Dar es Salaam at 18:55, arriving in Dodoma at 22:35.

TRC’s director general, Mr. Masanja Kadogosa, noted that the demand for the service is high, with many trains already fully booked. The TRC plans to increase service frequency to accommodate growing demand. The electrified SGR aims to reduce CO2 emissions, and air and noise pollution, while cutting travel time by about 50% compared to road coaches.

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The railway features 17 electric locomotives from Hyundai Rotem, capable of speeds up to 160km/h, and 89 coaches supplied by Sung Shin Rolling Stock Technology (SSRST) of Korea. The passenger fleet includes air-conditioning, onboard Wi-Fi, and seating in Royal, Business, and Economy classes. Additionally, Hyundai Rotem is providing 10 eight-car EMUs, each capable of carrying 590 passengers at speeds up to 160km/h.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan officially launched the railway, built by Turkish firm Yapi Merkezi, at a ceremony on Thursday. The 541-km SGR from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma, constructed at a cost of $3.1 billion, is part of a broader 1,395-km network extending to Mwanza city. This project is expected to significantly reduce travel time from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma from eight hours by road to 3.5 hours by train.

The new railway will not only enhance passenger transport but also has the capacity to carry 10,000 tons of cargo, equivalent to 500 cargo trucks, facilitating connections with landlocked countries like Burundi, Congo, and Rwanda. This infrastructure is anticipated to create employment opportunities, boost port efficiency, and enhance both national and international trade.

The Turkish diplomatic mission in Tanzania praised the collaboration between Tanzania and Yapi Merkezi, highlighting the project’s significance in strengthening bilateral relations.

President Hassan emphasised the ongoing efforts to extend the railway network to Kigoma, aiming to improve business connectivity with neighbouring countries. The government is also developing rail links towards the Lake Victoria port city of Mwanza and planning a line to connect with Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The railway’s launch is expected to have a transformative impact on Tanzania’s economy by facilitating the transport of three million tons of minerals annually, including nickel, from Burundi to Dar es Salaam’s port. The project is funded partly by a $1.46 billion loan agreement with Standard Chartered Bank Tanzania, signed in 2020.

Overall, the modern railway is set to revolutionise Tanzania’s transport infrastructure, promoting economic growth and regional integration.