First official SGR train trip with fare-free ride

Morogoro: THE Tanzania Railway Corporation (TRC) yesterday officially launched the Standard Gauge Railway operations from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro with passengers enjoying a free ride after President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan decided to provide free tickets to more than 1400 passengers.

Deputy Minister for Transport, David Kihenzile was among the first passengers in the first ever electric train in the country. Mr Kihenzile said the Head of State ordered TRC to offer free service to all passengers who will use the service in the launching day.

The train started its journey from Dar es Salaam at 6:10 am and arrived at Morogoro main station at 7:56am covering 300kilometrers using only 1:45 hours.

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“This is a milestone in the history of transportation sector in the country, the Head of State has decided to pay fares for all passengers who are travelling with this train on the launching day from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro and from Morogoro to Dar es Salaam as part of celebration and appreciation for the public support in the implementation of this mega project,” said Mr Kihenzile.

The TRC Director General, Masanja Kadogosa said Tanzanians have been waiting to witness and use the electric train. He said the operations have been officially launched from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro and asked the public to utilise the service.

“Those who had already paid for the tickets, TRC is going to refund them because the trip has been funded by President Dr Samia,” he said.

The TRC board chairman, Mr Ally Kalavina asked passengers to be punctual, saying the train will be leaving and arriving on time.

Morogoro Regional Commissioner, Adam Malima said the train operations are going to open up the region economically through various productive activities.

He said the launch of operations from Dar es Salaam-Morogoro-Dodoma will open up Kilosa District and many other areas along the railway line.

“The train is going to promote tourism attractions in Morogoro region, people are going to see Udzungwa and many other tourist attractions in the region,” he noted.

Earlier this week, the Land Transport Regulatory Authority (LATRA) announced new fares for the standard class of the modern Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Dar es Salaam to Makutupora in Dodoma.

According to a statement released by the head of LATRA’s Public Relations and Communications Department, Salum Pazzy, SGR fares range from 1,000/- to 37,000/- for those aged over 12 years, and from 500/- to 18,500/- for children aged between 4 and 12 years.

The statement seen by the Daily News said the fares have been set according to the decisions made by LATRA’s Board of Directors after reviewing requests by stakeholders, including the Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC).