Vendors told to keep away from BRT installations

DAR ES SALAAM Rapid Transit (DART) Agency management has requested people vending within the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project to stay away and stop conducting business in the areas or face legal action.

The request comes after inspectors of the Agency conducted checks at various areas to access the progress of some sections of the project and found vendors conducting business.

They should stay away at least four metres from the side walkway. Talking to journalists over the weekend at Kimara area in Dar es Salaam, the Director of Transport and Planning at DART, Eng. Serapion Tigahwa said it is illegal to conduct business along BRT system.

“We understand that people are struggling to make the ends meet - but they should go to areas designated for conducting business,” he said. Eng. Tigahwa said walk and cycle ways are meant exclusively for pedestrians and cyclists and not for vending or parking of any vehicle.

“On the mixed traffic lanes parking and stopping is not allowed. Also all non-motorised vehicles (bicycles, pushcarts, tricycles) must use the cycle way and not the mixed traffic lanes.

The bus lanes are for authorised DART buses only,” he said. He noted that the project along Morogoro Road will be handed over to the government within the next few months and that it would be a shame to start damaging the infrastructure.

“These roads should be used appropriately and not otherwise,” he stressed, adding that stern measures will be taken to all who will not heed to the agency’s request. He explained that a lot of money has been spent by the government to implement the project and that authorities will not watch as people destroy it.

“Citizens should support the government on this endeavor,” he said. He also said that people should strive to keep the area clean while drivers were requested to follow traffic rules and regulations to make sure that BRT system becomes a success story and exemplary project in the region.

Earlier, The DART Agency Chief Technical Advisor, Mr Dieter Schelling said parking and vending along pedestrians walkways was not allowed.

Mr Schelling also called on truck drivers to stop parking and off-loading along highways within the BRT system.

SOURCE: DAILY NEWS

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