@Therespondent
In four years of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration, the face of Tanzania’s land transport regulation has transformed dramatically and the Land Transport Regulatory Authority (LATRA) stands as a key symbol of that change.
From liberalizing long-distance travel to digitizing licensing and compliance systems, LATRA has spearheaded a series of reforms that are not only streamlining public services but also reshaping how Tanzanians experience mobility.
“The leadership of Her Excellency, President Samia Suluhu Hassan, has created an enabling environment that has allowed LATRA to engage stakeholders and implement reforms that benefit the public,” LATRA’s Director General, Habibu Suluo briefed the journalists today (April 14).
One of the most consequential policy shifts in recent years was the lifting of the three-decade-old ban on night bus operations.
Instituted in 1994 and often criticized as outdated, the ban was officially removed in October 2023.
LATRA, in coordination with the police and other key actors, began issuing round-the-clock travel schedules for long-distance buses.
By March 2025, 2,323 buses had received 24/7 operational clearance.
“We’ve witnessed a sharp decline in bus racing incidents, reduced travel costs, and more time for passengers to focus on their economic and social engagements,” said Suluo, emphasizing the economic and social implications of the policy.
The past four years have also seen a steep rise in transport licensing. LATRA issued over 334,859 licenses for buses, cargo trucks, and hired vehicles by March 2025, up from 226,201 in early 2021 — a 48 percent increase.
This growth was underpinned by technological innovation, including the launch of the Railway and Road Information Management System (RRIMS), which has made license processing faster and more accessible by integrating with national databases like NIDA, TRA, and GePG.
“We have aligned our licensing and registration processes with other national systems to create seamless service delivery,” Suluo told the press.
Urban transport coverage has also improved markedly. In Dar es Salaam, LATRA has approved 1,007 new daladala routes, opening access to previously underserved areas.
In Dodoma, Mwanza, and Arusha, new circuits now link emerging residential and commercial hubs.
Supporting this expansion, the authority opened 10 new satellite offices in areas such as Mbagala, Masasi, and Ifakara, increasing its physical presence to 37 offices nationwide.
Five more are planned. Suluo said this physical expansion was vital to “responding to urbanization by reshaping public transport models to meet the emerging mobility needs of our people.”
Parallel to operational expansion, LATRA has invested heavily in safety, digital governance, and professional development.
The Vehicle Tracking System (VTS), which relies on GPS and real-time analytics, now monitors 11,826 vehicles.
On average, 5,800 vehicles report activity daily through the system.
Moreover, the authority has certified 4,563 drivers after rigorous digital testing, from a pool of more than 9,000 candidates.
Over 33,000 drivers are now in the LATRA registry, a move aimed at professionalizing the sector and improving safety standards.
The modernisation of the railway sector has also come under LATRA’s oversight, with a strong regulatory presence in the rollout of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR).
LATRA teams inspected and approved SGR coaches and engines acquired from Korea, China, Germany, and Malaysia.
It also set fares for economy class travel on the Dar es Salaam–Dodoma route at Tsh 31,000 for local trains and Tsh 50,000 for express services.
Business and royal classes are offered under flexible rates, based on the market.
Meanwhile, the authority has deepened its digital public engagement. Through its online ticketing platform, the Centralised e-Ticketing System (CeTS), LATRA has processed more than 13.4 million passenger transactions since August 2024.
This system integrates bus and train ticket vendors into a unified platform, allowing citizens to select travel options, compare prices, and book digitally.
Passenger satisfaction has also improved, with 92 percent of customer complaints resolved in the past year.
Public education has been another priority, with LATRA producing and airing 365 awareness programs across TV, social media, and LATRA Online TV since 2021.
With President Samia’s term drawing closer to its fifth year, LATRA’s performance offers a compelling case study in how strategic governance can reshape institutions to better serve citizens.
“Through President Samia’s leadership, we’ve been able to turn bold ideas into reality, reaching more people, creating safer roads, and using data to guide our future,” said Suluo in his closing remarks.
The story of LATRA over these four years is ultimately a reflection of a broader national transformation, one driven by President Samia’s emphasis on reconciliation, resilience, reform, and rebuilding.
And if LATRA’s momentum continues, the next chapter could bring even more groundbreaking reforms to Tanzania’s transport sector.