A report by East African revealed that Tanzania just purchased two new electric multiple-unit (EMU) trains from one of its valued trade partners; South Korea.
This adds to the EMU that arrived in the country back in April, totaling its amount to three.
“TRC has received a total of 65 passenger wagons, 17 electric locomotives, and three sets of EMU trains; the receipt of the equipment for the SGR operations is ongoing in different phases,” The Tanzania Railway Corporation (TRC) stated.
“The newly arrived equipment will continue to undergo testing for assurance before commencing provision of service,” it added.
These trains are set to be commissioned as soon as July 25th. Both trains, which have eight cars apiece, will be deployed on the recently completed standard gauge railway line that runs between the capital Dodoma, and Dar es Salaam.
This is hardly Tanzania’s first purchase of its kind with South Korea. The East African country has so far bought 10 sets of locomotives and coaches from the Hyundai Rotem Company of South Korea.
Additionally, the East African reported that by Friday, the express train running between Dar and Morogoro will begin operation. The train is designed to cut down on the four hours of traffic time that typically is endured by those commuting via bus to just one hour and forty minutes.
The express train departs Dar at 6 a.m. and arrives back at 7:10 p.m. The train is scheduled to leave Morogoro at 6.20 am and return at 7.30 pm. The trains add four SGR runs each day to the line.
The TRC indicated that it will increase the number of trains based on passenger demand. “Passengers are advised to book tickets on the firm’s website or at the windows inside train stations two hours before the train departs to avoid congestion,” the TRC stated.
