DART to educate public on proper use of BRT infrastructure

The Dar es Salaam Rapid Transit (DART) Agency has pledged to invest in education to protect the scheme’s infrastructure and the users.

 

The agency’s Infrastructure management manager, Engineer Mohamed Kuganda, said recently during a tour of the bus rapid transit (BRT) scheme in the city that the agency prioritised public education for all road users to minimise acrimonious relations, avert accidents and protect the infrastructure.

 

 “Education is key to our success.  We are targeting every user.  If everyone will do the right thing, the infrastructure will be safe and users will face minimal inconveniences,” he said.

 

 The tour, being conducted in phases, brought together representatives of transport agencies to make them conversant with the nature of the infrastructure and the traffic signs.  The tour started at Kimara Station to Morocco Station.

 

The delegation included representatives of DART, the Traffic Police department, Tanzania Roads Agency (Tanroads) and the project’s consultant (SMEC). Kinondoni Regional Traffic Police Commander, SSP Awadhi Jihad, said the police would work on the challenges spotted, adding that the tour had been an eye-opener.

 

 “This scheme has many features that other ordinary roads do not have.  We have learnt a lot,” he said, adding that the traffic police would endeavour to teach road users the right way of using the scheme’s roads.

 

“Essentially we enforce traffic laws and regulations.  We shall try hard to educate road users, especially drivers,” he pledged, warning that stubborn users would face stern action.

 

 “Stubborn drivers of all shades who break the law deliberately will be fined and where necessary we shall take them to court for stiffer punishment,” he warned.