The Tanzania government has embarked on making efficient use of technology to improve the quality and productivity of public road transport in the country that can respond to customer demands.

The efforts began with the installation of computerised vehicle monitoring system on highway passenger buses to enhance the quality and productivity of the roads, and curb heavy losses of human life through road accidents.

The Surface and Marine Transport Regulatory Authority (SUMATRA) Director General, Gilliard Ngewe and the Tanzania Bus Owners Association (TABOA) general secretary, Enea Mrutu said the use of technology in enhancing the quality and attractiveness of public road transport is no more an option.

According to Ngewe, to date, 200 highway passenger buses have been installed with the vehicle tracking system since the project rolled out last year. The target has been to affix the gadgets to over 1 500 upcountry buses.

The next phase of the project will involve passenger buses plying on short to medium distances. “One of the benefits of computerised vehicle tracking system derives from the better real time control of operations,” said Ngewe, adding that the system is an efficient way of curbing loss of life and property.

The technology refers to a system for improving the supervision and coordination of transportation of highway passenger buses so as to provide reliable and efficient operations.

The system can go as far as to provide information for purposes of route and schedule planning, maintenance management, and operating statistics, and can provide the basic data for real time passenger information services.

However, Ngewe said one of the challenges in implementing the project is the change of mindset of drivers of the highway passenger buses – some of whom received the tracking system negatively.

He said the regulator is very keen in ensuring that bus drivers and owners adhere to the new system.