The Republic of Tanzania has made a significant step in the rail transport sector as it launched its first electric train on Saturday, which got to transport a total of 1,400 passengers from the coastal city of Dar es Salaam to Morogoro which is located in the in the western part of the country on its maiden journey, covering a total distance of 300 kilometers (186 miles) as the Tanzania SGR Operations are expected to commence from the next month.
Moreover, comprising of state-of-the-art electric and signaling systems, the Tanzania SGR project which is being celebrated as Eastern Africa’s first electric standard-gauge railway has been completed, this was revealed by a news report that was done by Albawaba News.
With plans for the second section of the Tanzania SGR almost being completed, Türkiye-based company Yapi Merkezi, that is responsible for four of the five sections of Tanzania’s extensive railway construction project that covers more than 1,000 kilometers, has successfully finished the first section of the Tanzania SGR project.
Significance of the Tanzania SGR Operations
Tanzania Railways Corporation’s General Manager Masanja Kadogosa, pointed out the Tanzania SGR project significance in fostering the economic growth of the country and also enhancing transportation efficiency throughout Tanzania and even Eastern Africa as a region.
He noted that the first journey, which transported 1,400 passengers for free, had reduced the travel time between the two cities to just two hours.
Also, incorporated with a shimmering facade of sky-blue glass panels, the Standard Gauge Railway Station in Tanzania’s commercial hub and port city, Dar es Salaam, looks more like an opulent airport terminal than just a railway facility. Inside, a maze of escalators gracefully glides passengers who intend to board the country’s electric train to various levels, giving a panoramic view of the bustling terminal below.
Moreover, this architectural marvel of the Tanzania SGR project, meticulously designed with the passengers’ comfort in mind, boasts state-of-the-art ticketing counters and plush waiting lounges equipped with charging ports and other amenities that enhance the comfort of the passengers who will be using the facility.
Cost of the Project
The East Africa’s first electric train, a project worth nearly $2 billion, is seen as a big boost to domestic connectivity, trade and economic activities with the neighboring countries that are landlocked like Uganda and Rwanda.
The Tanzania SGR’s entire route will run from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza, which is a port city that is located on the shore of Lake Victoria, and Kigoma, a city that is located on the northeastern shores of Lake Tanganyika, near the border with Burundi and DRC. Additionally, that railway route will cover a total of approximately 1,300 kilometers (around 810 miles).
TRC Launches Awareness Campaign Regarding the Project
Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) has launched an awareness campaign regarding the commencement of Standard Gauge Railway train services at a brief event that was held at the Dar es Salaam SGR station on June 12, 2024.
Moreover, the campaign aims to educate the public on the use of the new SGR services and important considerations for the safety and security of passengers and their belongings or luggage when using the trains. The campaign’s slogan is “Let’s Board Our Train, Maintain It, and Cherish It.”
Lastly, TRC Director General Masanja Kungu Kadogosa mentioned that, in implementing the directives of the President of Tanzania, H.E. Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, to ensure that the commencement of the train transport services, TRC has taken steps that will ensure the implementation of operational services. “In accordance with the directive issued by the President of Tanzania, TRC informs the public of the start of the first SGR train services between Dar es Salaam and Morogoro on June 14, 2024,” stated Kadogosa.
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