(Dar es Salaam) – When 2024 began, Tanzania’s Central Railway System faced numerous challenges. Managed by the Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC), the old railway system, known as the Meter Gauge Railway (MGR), relied on infrastructure built during the colonial era.
Issues like slow speeds, frequent maintenance of tracks, locomotives, and carriages, and damage to railway embankments due to seasonal floods, especially in areas like Godegode in Dodoma, disrupted operations and impacted communities relying on rail transport. Despite its inefficiencies, MGR remained popular due to its affordability compared to road or air travel.
To address these problems, the government, through TRC, introduced the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), a modern electric rail system. The SGR is designed to reduce travel time, improve safety, and support economic growth by efficiently transporting passengers and cargo.
On June 14, 2024, the SGR began its first journey between Dar es Salaam and Morogoro after extensive trials, including a major one on February 27, 2024. On August 1, 2024, President Samia Suluhu Hassan inaugurated the SGR line between Dar es Salaam and Dodoma.
The SGR project, initiated during the late President John Magufuli’s administration, was 22% complete when President Samia took office in March 2021. She committed to completing the projects her predecessor had begun.
TRC reported that within four months of its launch, the SGR transported over one million passengers, surpassing the 400,000 passengers MGR had carried in an entire year.
Comparison of Passenger Transport – SGR vs. MGR
| Rail System | Passengers (4 months) | Passengers (1 year) |
|---|---|---|
| SGR | 1,000,000 | N/A |
| MGR | N/A | 400,000 |
The new rail system also generated TZS 20 billion ($8 million) in revenue by November 2024, primarily from passenger services.
Chairperson of the Parliamentary Public Investment Committee (PIC), Augustino Vuma, noted that freight services, which typically account for 80% of rail revenue, are expected to significantly boost TRC’s earnings once operational.
TRC announced on November 15 that 264 cargo wagons manufactured in China would arrive in December 2024 as part of a larger order of 1,430 wagons.
The SGR has had notable effects on the transport sector, particularly road travel. The Tanzania Bus Owners Association (Taboa) reported a significant decline in passengers opting for buses on routes like Dar es Salaam to Dodoma, where SGR offers a 3-hour, 20-minute journey compared to 10 hours by road.
Latra, the road transport regulatory authority, confirmed a 20% drop in bus passenger numbers on the Dar es Salaam–Morogoro route.
While some bus operators have shifted to new routes, others have parked their vehicles due to a lack of passengers.
Economists and transport analysts recognize the SGR’s broader impact. Economist Oscar Mkude noted that the SGR’s high passenger numbers indicate widespread acceptance of the modern system. He highlighted the SGR’s efficiency, allowing passengers to travel faster and avoid traffic congestion.
Transport expert Thomas Gowele emphasized that the SGR’s use of electricity rather than fuel reduces transportation costs and enhances safety. Gowele also pointed out that the railway will likely reduce road accidents, which have claimed 7,639 lives in Tanzania between 2019 and May 2024.
Road Accident Statistics (2019–May 2024)
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Accidents | 10,093 |
| Deaths | 7,639 |
| Injuries | 12,663 |
Gowele also predicted that areas near new SGR stations would see increased business and residential development.
While bus and truck operators face challenges, Gowele and Mkude believe the SGR creates new opportunities. Private-sector businesses must adapt to the changing transport landscape, while the government and private investors collaborate to maximize the railway’s economic benefits.
Tanroads CEO Mohamed Besta added that the SGR’s freight services would complement, rather than replace, road transport, ensuring continued use of Tanzania’s road infrastructure.
