New order at key bus terminal after city council takes control

A sense of order is slowly taking place at the Ubungo Bus Terminal (UBT) following the take over of its management by the Dar es Salaam City Council.

A survey has shown big improvement in the security situation. Touts who used to harass upcountry travellers were being effectively barred from entering the terminal.

Gone also were beggars and loitering children as security has been tightened. Non-travellers were still charged Sh200 per person for entering the terminal.

The government has said the facility will remain under the city council for three months.

The Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner William Lukuvi said if need arose, another private firm would be hired to run the facility. Running of terminal was being carried out by the family of veteran politician, Kingunge Ngombale-Mwiru.

The government had expressed concern that the contractor remitting very little money to the City Council.

Commenting on the much-needed changes, Mr Isaac Mfinanga, a frequent traveller to Dodoma said the new management on its first day of operations has brought order to a den of chaos.

Another person who declined to be mentioned for personal reasons, said it was usual for any management to show positive signs of change but it could be different as days go by.

The handover follows the end of the contract awarded to a private firm named Smart holdings Limited. DCC is now responsible for collecting revenues at the terminal.

According to the Managing Director of Smart holdings Limited, Mr Hassan Khani, the company was collecting about Sh2 million daily from the gate charges and other levies at the terminal.

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