DART Agency starts campaign to promote cleaner public transportation in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

The Dar Rapid Transit Agency (DART), under the Prime Minister’s Office is implementing the bus rapid transit program in Dar es Salaam that aims at increasing the level of mobility within the city, promote the use of non-motorized transport, introduce efficient and comfortable public transport system and address air pollution at local and global level. Through PCFV support, DART intends to carry out public sensitization to promote the new mass transport system which will use cleaner buses – Euro 3 standard - and to lobby for the importation of cleaner fuels.

To launch the activities, a one-day workshop was held on 15 April 2009. Hon. William Ngeleje, the Minister for Energy and Minerals attended the workshop and assured stakeholders of the government’s commitment to import 500ppm diesel to reduce urban air pollution. The DART Chief Executive Mr. Cosmas Takule presented the project background and its linkages to the Ministers Agreement on Better Air Quality in Eastern Africa that was adopted in Nairobi in 2008. The workshop was also informed of the on-going revision of national standards to 500ppm sulphur diesel that was likely to be adopted before the end of the year. Participants recommended the use of alternative fuels, in particular natural gas which is abundant in Tanzania. Media and stakeholder workshops are planned in the coming months and public sensitization through TV, radio and promotional flyers is on-going.