Dar es Salaam – For hundreds of thousands of commuters in Dar es Salaam, the daily journey to and from work has become an ordeal of endurance.
During evening peak hours, major bus terminals transform into scenes of organised chaos, as a sea of people waits for a limited number of buses, a situation that has left many feeling frustrated and financially strained.
“You can spend almost two hours waiting for a bus because the ones that go don’t all come back at the same time,” says Esther Genes, a resident of the city, during an interview with The Chanzo.
Her story is a familiar one for many in this bustling metropolis of over six million people, where demand for transport far outstrips supply, especially during rush hour.
The shortage of traditional buses, known locally as daladalas, has created an environment where some conductors arbitrarily increase fares, charging desperate commuters well above the officially sanctioned rates.
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“I budget for the 800 shillings I use every day, but then a bus comes and wants 1,000 or 1,300,” explains Kasimu Gahu, another commuter. “It affects me because I don’t have anywhere else to get that extra money.”
BRT: Not immune
Even the city’s modern Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, known as DART, is not immune to these pressures. While intended as a solution, the BRT has been plagued by its own set of problems, including long queues and insufficient capacity, forcing passengers to fight for space when a bus finally arrives.
These frustrations reached a boiling point in early October 2025, when passengers vandalised BRT stations in the Kimara area, smashing windows of both stations and buses.
The incident, which led to at least three arrests, followed the circulation of videos on social media showing immense crowds and passengers chanting in protest over the poor service. In response, the government swiftly deployed over 10 new buses to the affected Kimara-Gerezani route to ease congestion and calm tensions.
A recent study published in the Journal of Industrial Engineering & Management Research sheds light on the complexity of the issue. The research, conducted by academics from the National Institute of Transport in Dar es Salaam, found that traditional metrics of service quality have a surprisingly weak correlation with passenger satisfaction.
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The study suggests that satisfaction is more likely influenced by unmeasured or personal experiences, and calls for a more inclusive, feedback-based approach to transport planning.
The Land Transport Regulatory Authority (LATRA) acknowledges the problem of illegal fare hikes. Ngereza Pateli, a spokesperson for the authority in Dar es Salaam, described the practice as a deliberate violation of regulations.
“We have set the fares, and they must be followed at all times,” he stated, urging passengers to report any infringements. “If we get a report, we will take action without hesitation.”
Government’s strategy
Despite its challenges, the DART system is a cornerstone of the government’s strategy to modernise the city’s transport. A report from C40 Cities highlights its potential, noting a 90-minute reduction in return trip travel time along its corridor.
The system is currently expanding, with new lines under construction and a fleet of 99 new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered buses expected to be operational soon.
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As Dar es Salaam continues its rapid growth, with a population projected to reach 10 million by 2027 according to the C40 report, finding a lasting solution to its transport woes is more critical than ever.
The daily struggle of its commuters, experts think, underscores the urgent need for comprehensive strategies that not only expand infrastructure but also address the systemic issues of regulation, capacity, and the overall passenger experience.
Ibrahim Mgaza reports for The Chanzo from Dar es Salaam. He’s available at ibrahimmgaza39@gmail.com.
