Total chaos reigns as Dar’s Mwenge bus terminal...
 
2006-05-26 09:50:01
By Khalfan Said

	Traffic police directs commuter buses along Ali Hassan Mwinyi Road in Dar es Salaam to proceed to Makumbusho Bus Terminal yesterday. (Photo: Khalfan Said)

The relocation of Mwenge bus terminus to Makumbusho in Dar es Salaam upset transport in the city yesterday, but touts had a field day as they joined the police in directing traffic flow at a fee.

Traffic police had a rough time controlling traffic with public service vehicle operators reluctant to move to the new terminus.

Chaos reigned as drivers and commuters began coming to terms with the new transport arrangements.

Some commuters refused to disembark from buses demanding to be taken to Mwenge, protesting that they were not aware of the ’’abrupt’’ route changes.

Others resorted to trekking for over a kilometre instead of paying 200/- for lack of money to pay for the remaining distance. And drivers had to pay touts 100/- to be shown where the new terminus is.

News of the imminent closure of the Mwenge bus terminus was public knowledge from last Tuesday, but few commuters were apparently aware of it.

The shift to Makumbusho bus terminus, about a kilometre east of Mwenge, was followed by the demolition of stalls and kiosks at the former bus terminus.
Juma Ibrahim, 42, one of the passengers, blamed city authorities for not alerting PSV users of the relocation of the terminus from Mwenge.

’’Was it difficult for the city authorities to announce the changes. This should not have happened if they cared to communicate,’’ an angry Ibrahim protested.
Ibrahim Omar, a driver, was not happy either.

’’My TLA (Tanzania License Authority) licence allows me to ply between Mikoroshini and Mwenge not Makumbusho.

The journey has been lengthened. Who will pay for the deficit created?’’ he wondered.

• SOURCE: Guardian