The Minister of State for Regional Administration and Local Government, Mohamed Mchengerwa, has strongly criticized the decision to allow private vehicles and heavy trucks on the city’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lanes without proper authorization.
Speaking on March 21, 2025, at the signing ceremony for the second phase of the Dar es Salaam Metropolitan Development Project (DMDP II), Mchengerwa expressed concern over the damage caused by unauthorized vehicles on roads meant for BRT buses.
“At some point, directives were issued permitting vehicles to use BRT lanes as if these roads belonged to them,” he said. “Now, we are seeing the consequences—on the Mbagala route alone, heavy trucks weighing up to 40 tonnes are destroying the lanes. If this continues, it will jeopardize future road projects.”
His remarks came after Dar es Salaam’s Regional Commissioner (RC) decided to allow private cars and other passenger buses to use some BRT lanes that had been completed but were not yet operational due to a shortage of buses. The move, initially introduced to ease congestion in the city, was intended to be temporary, with the lanes reverting to BRT-only traffic once new buses arrived.
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The BRT system in Dar es Salaam was designed to provide an efficient public transport solution and reduce traffic in the city. However, Mchengerwa warned that improper use of these dedicated lanes is already causing serious damage, which could lead to costly repairs and service disruptions.
Authorities are now facing the challenge of balancing immediate traffic relief with long-term infrastructure sustainability. The Minister’s warning serves as a call for better coordination among government offices to ensure that policies align with the intended purpose of major transport projects.
While discussions on the matter continue, city officials and transport agencies are expected to review the policy to prevent further damage to the BRT infrastructure.