TRANSPORT Minister Prof Makame Mbarawa has said that the current fare for the standard gauge train will be further reviewed downward so that all groups can choose the class they can afford.

Speaking in Dodoma at the weekend, the minister said that the mandate to announce the final fare rates is vested upon the Land Transport Regulatory Authority (LATRA).

 “The review process for the fares proposed initially is still under way and when it is over, the public will be informed,” he said.

According to the Tanzania Railway Corporation (TRC), the fare of a ticket depends on the distance and the type of train class one chooses. For instance, the adult fare from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma is set for 59,494/- for the standard class. On the other hand, a child fare is 29,747.2/-

During recent trial rides between Dar es Salaam and Dodoma, some Tanzanians raised concern that ordinary people might not afford the tickets.

Masanja Kadogosa, TRC managing director, said that all preparations to start services are going well, adding that they are expected to commence in July this year as directed by the government.

Selemani Kakoso, chairman of the parliamentary committee on infrastructure commended the allocation of 10trn/- for the implementation of the SGR project.

Kakoso said the SGR project is very important in fast-tracking development and economic growth of the country.

He called on the government to finalise the process of getting investors for the Mtwara-Mbamba bay railway via Mchuchuma and Liganga.

Kakoso urged TRC’s management to pay contractors promptly and invest in human resources.

The leaders spoke at the conclusion of a capacity building workshop organised by TRC on the SGR project for the members of parliament.