By Alfred Zacharia
The Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) has introduced new measures to handle the holiday rush on the northern train routes to Tanga, Kilimanjaro, and Arusha.
The steps respond to problems experienced in past years when high demand during peak seasons often leaves passengers stranded due to overcrowding and limited services.
In previous years, holiday travelers faced challenges such as long queues, delays, and even being forced to use expensive and unreliable private transport.
To accommodate more passengers this year, TRC has announced extra trips and train coaches.
Fredy Mwanjala, TRC’s Head of Public Relations, said, “We are committed to ensuring everyone gets to travel comfortably during the holidays. No one should miss their journey because of a lack of space.”
For the holiday season, TRC has assured that ticket prices will not change, despite the increased services. This decision will relieve many families who often find holiday travel expensive.
“We want to support Tanzanians during this special time by keeping fares affordable. That is our promise to the public,” Mwanjala added.
An economy ticket to Moshi costs TZS 16,500, second-class seating TZS 23,000 and second-class sleeping berth costs TZS 39,100.
Arusha passengers will pay TZS 18,700 for economy seats, TZS 26,700 for second-class seating while a first-class sleeping berth to Arusha also remains at TZS 44,400.
In the past, extra coaches and holiday schedules have sometimes faced logistical issues like delays and overbooked trains.
TRC hopes to resolve such problems by deploying 18 additional wagons, carrying 1,000 to 1,200 passengers per trip, each week this season.
Mwanjala emphasized the importance of safety and reliability, saying, “This is about more than just adding trips. We want passengers to trust that their journey will be smooth, safe, and timely.”
TRC’s response to previous challenges shows they are learning from past mistakes.
Trains must run on schedule, provide quality service, and avoid overcrowding to make this initiative successful. Clear communication with passengers about schedules and any disruptions will also be critical.
The new measures are a positive step toward solving long-standing travel issues on northern routes. If TRC delivers on its promises, passengers will likely enjoy a much-improved travel experience this holiday season.