POOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT MANAGEMENT LEADS TO TRANSPORT INACCESSIBILITY & AFFORDABILITY IN TANZANIA Oscar Kikoyo, Executive Secretary Surface & Marine Transport Consumer Council of Tanzania

Introduction  Tanzania became independent in  Shortly after independence, she embarked on Socialist Policies christened as “African Socialism”  Under the auspice of Socialism, many private companies were nationalized.

Introduction  Dar es Salaam Motor Transport Limited Company [DMT] was nationalised also.

Transport Management.  Proceeds of DMT formed a Public companies “Shirika la Usafiri Dar es Salaam [UDA]”  UDA started to operate under the auspice of the Government – fares had to get Government approval.  Fares regulation were politically set, did not follow any scientific pricing.

Transport Management Cont.  Fares were set on ad hock bases which were low to cover actual operating costs.  The Government did not cover that financial gap  Performance slowly started to go down the line against increasing population.  Demand did not match the supply.  In 1980’s UDA’s actual need of buses was 250 buses but had only 65 buses.

Transport Management Cont.  Transport services deterioration in 1980’s affected vulnerable groups.  Thousands of people were forced to walk in excess of 20 kilometers a day to and from work.  45% of population in Dar es Salaam walked due to lack of accessibility to commuter buses

Transport Management Cont.  Majority of people whose income was good opted to private drive – traffic jams  Elderly and disabled persons retreated into their neighborhood for whatever quality of service they would get there.  Creation of Social Exclusion

Transport Regulation.  Establishment of Surface & Marine Transport Regulatory Authority in 2004, Act N0.9 of 2001.[SUMATRA]  Establishment of Surface & Marine Transport Consumer Consultative Council in 2004, Act N0.9 of 2001.[SUMATRA CCC]  Enactment of Persons with Disabilities Act, Act N0.9 of 2010

The role of SUMATRA  Social and Economic Regulation in Transport Sub – Sector  Promoting competition and economic efficiency in the sector  Setting standards of commuters buses in the country  Licensing all public transport in the country.

The role of SUMATRA CCC  To advise the Government, Ministries and relevant authorities on matters of interests to consumers in transport sub – sector  To represent the interests of consumers by making submissions aiming at influencing policy change.

Persons with Disabilities Act  Provides for health care, social support, accessibility, rehabilitation for people with disabilities in the country.  Section 50 (b) of the Act creates an offence for any person to be denied accessibility for reason of his/her disability.  The Minister responsible for people with disabilities to make guidelines on accessibility by persons with disabilities.

Government Efforts  Putting in place proper Regulatory Framework.  Putting regulations & standards in place.  Enactment of Acts providing for accessibility – Persons with Disabilities Act.

Government Efforts  Bus Rapid Transit Project in Dar es Salaam (DART)  First Phase of Project 21.5 Km is on construction stage expected to take off 2014  Project has taken care of needs of vulnerable groups

Government Efforts  Project will use low floor buses.  Ordinary Railway transport in Dar es Salaam expected in October 2012

Conclusion  Transport is a catalyst of economic development as it cuts across all sectors of the economy.  Social inclusion guarantees equal access to economic opportunities to all groups of the society.

End  Thank you