Magufuli Bus Terminal Chaos as Middlemen Exploit Travelers

The festive season has turned Tanzania’s Magufuli Bus Terminal into a chaotic scene as hundreds of travellers scramble for tickets to upcountry destinations.

Desperation has gripped many, with some passengers forced to make unofficial agreements with middlemen, who have taken advantage of the soaring demand to exploit travelers.

A businesswoman heading to Mwanza, Ms Amina Juma, is among those caught in the struggle.

“They are refusing to sell tickets in advance because middlemen want to make money from this situation,” she said, her frustration evident.

“I’ve had to pay almost double the fare to secure a ticket,” she added.

The Land Transport Regulatory Authority (Latra)’s official fare for an ordinary bus from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza is Sh55,000, while semi-luxury buses charge Sh78,000.

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According to The Citizen’s survey conducted on December 21, passengers are now paying between Sh90,000 and Sh170,000, depending on the bus class.

Middlemen, lurking around the terminal, have turned this into a lucrative business, charging hefty commissions for tickets.

The Magufuli Bus Terminal has become a hub for middlemen who negotiate prices outside the official fare structures.

These middlemen approach passengers desperate for a way home and offer tickets at inflated prices that are not even reflective of the electronic receipt offered.

“I’ve been here since morning trying to get a ticket to Arusha,” said Michael Komba, a college student.

“When I couldn’t find one, a middleman approached me, saying he could get a seat if I paid an extra Sh25,000. I had no choice,” Komba added.

The official fare from Dar es Salaam to Arusha is Sh30,000 for an ordinary bus and Sh42,000 for a semi-luxury bus. Now, passengers are paying between Sh55,000 and Sh70,000 for the same route.

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