Dr John Magufuli

The government has proposed the need for the Arusha Bus Terminal to be re-located from where it is to ease traffic congestion that has been on the increase.

Minister for Works Dr John Magufuli called the Arusha city fathers to seriously work on the proposal and re-locate the bus stop to three places on the city’s outskirts.

He made the proposal here on Monday when speaking to Roads Fund board stakeholders.

Arusha is the third largest commercial city after Dar es Salaam and Mwanza hosting international organizations offices as well as small tourist firms.
It is a destination hub to neighbouring countries as well as other regions, and is the busiest city with plenty of tourists and businessmen.

The minister said the city of Arusha is rapidly growing and the number of vehicles also has been on the increase, necessitating the city authority to work on its envirionment by taking tough decisions.

“It is good city mayor you are here; take serious actions by putting in place better strategies that will help to re-locate the main bus stand. There is no need for all buses from all corners of the Arusha to come to the city centre,” Magufuli said, adding: “You can decide to have three bus terminals in different locations outside the city according to the need.”
For instance, the Minister said that all buses using Arusha-Moshi highway should be using one terminal that would be located outside the city, similar to those buses using Arusha-Babati, and Arusha-Namanga highways.

Arusha bus terminal serves more than 100 passenger buses per day going to and from different location as far as Mwanza, Dodoma and Dar es Salaam.

The Minister however pledged that his ministry, will help to facilitate the process, including putting up a bus stand for passenger buses heading to and from Babati.
Regional Commissioner Magesa Mulongo appealed to the government to ensure that construction of the Arusha-Minjingu highway has a package that will come up with a road connecting the Arusha-Namanga road.

On his opinion the RC said buses and vehicles from Babati to Namanga are not supposed to get into the city centre, instead they need to have their own road.
“This will help to reduce traffic congestion in Arusha,” he said.
Currently, World Bank-funded roads are under construction in the city of Arusha, bringing a new hope that the move will help to reduce traffic jam.