Tazara Partnering With South Africa On Special Tourist Trains

Tanzania and Zambia Railway (Tazara) is cooperating with the government of South Africa to bring in Tanzania tourists from South Africa by using special tourist trains. This cooperation will improve tourism and the government will get revenue and boost economic growth.

Speaking to reporters in Dar es Salaam yesterday, Tazara deputy managing director Damas Ndumbalo said the government through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism would benefit from this cooperation because it would get a substantial amount of revenue.

“We are partnering with South Africa to use special tourist trains from South Africa to bring tourists in the country. We are hopeful that this cooperation will boost the tourist industry in Tanzania, increase revenue to the government and stimulate economic growth and development,” he said.

Next month Tazara expects to import four locomotives from China to improve the quality of services provided by Tazara trains.

Ndumbalo urged Tanzanians to utilise Tazara transport because it was cheap and secure.

“I call upon businesspeople to utilise this facility for it is cheap,” he said.

Villages, which will benefit from this transport include Mlimba, Mbeya, Nakonde and Kitwe. They will transport minerals like copper, agro-products and fertilisers.

The passenger train will travel to Zambia-Kapirimposhi twice a week from Dar es Salaam.

Tazara has been facing a number of challenges in its endeavour to improve its services. The challenges include payment of salaries to its workers and create a conducive environment for efficient service delivery and customer service.

The people of Tanzania and Zambia have commended their respective governments for improving Tanzara services and its contribution to economic development.

Ndumbalo also advised Tanzanians and Zambians to have Tazara’s timetable so that they know exactly when it operates and when it doesn’t to avoid unnecessary inconveniences.

He thanked the Ministry of Transport for taking quick measures to ensure Tazara offered reliable services.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN