POOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT MANAGEMENT LEADS TO TRANSPORT INACCESSIBILITY & AFFORDABILITY IN TANZANIA

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

2. Introduction • Tanzania became independent in 1961. • Shortly after independence, she embarked on Socialist Policies christened as “African Socialism” • Under the auspice of Socialism, many private companies were nationalized.

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

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

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

13. 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

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

15. 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.

16. End • Thank you