Cable cars, private rail operators in perspective

Dar es Salaam. Stakeholders are due to meet in Dar es Salaam on Monday to discuss new regulations which, among other goals, aim to introduce cable car transport and private rail operators.

The Ministry of Transport, through the Land Transport Regulatory Authority (Latra), organized the meeting in which stakeholders will express their views on a series of regulatory proposals aimed at improving governance and operational standards in the land transport sector.

According to a statement issued by the ministry, the regulations that will be discussed are the Latra (Licensing of Railway Operators) Regulations, 2024; Latra (Cable Transport) Regulations, 2024 and Transport License (Exclusive Public Transport License) Regulations, 2024.

The meeting will be an opportunity for stakeholders, including transport operators, policy makers and industry experts, to express their views and recommendations.

The ministry believes that stakeholder engagement is crucial to ensure that regulations effectively address industry challenges and promote sustainable development in the transport sector.

“The stakeholder meeting will gather views on the regulations proposed by the Land Transport Regulatory Authority,” the statement said.

The cable transport regulations are expected to govern the operations of the planned cable transport, which aims to boost tourism in Tanzania and facilitate commuting in some areas.

Cable transport, new to Tanzania, involves transporting people in motorless, motorless vehicles propelled by a steel cable, commonly known as a cable car.

Latra said it has carried out a feasibility study to identify potential areas for the installation of cable transportation systems.

Some of the areas identified include Mbeya, Iringa, Tanga, Morogoro, Arusha and Kilimanjaro, which the report says provide an excellent opportunity to introduce cable transport.

Latra general manager Habibu Suluo said business opportunities for cable transportation exist, especially in tourist areas. According to him, there is a person in Mtoo Wa Mbu who does tourism by providing cable services to various tourists, although it is not formal.

“So far, we have not engaged potential stakeholders; investors want to invest in cable transportation. This is why we (Latra) want to develop regulations to successfully implement cable transportation,” he said.

Cable transportation is a broad class of modes of transportation equipped with cables. They transport passengers and goods, often in vehicles called cable cars. The cable can be driven or passive, and objects can be moved by pulling, sliding, sailing, or by drives inside the object being moved on cable cars.

According to the draft regulation, anyone planning to install or construct cable transport infrastructure must have specific qualifications. For businesses, they must be registered in Tanzania, while individuals must provide proof of Tanzanian citizenship.

Furthermore, a feasibility study report must accompany the application for a permit to operate a cable system. The report must detail the scope of services offered, including complete structural designs and drawings describing the installation of the cable system.

Another element is a solid security plan.

Additionally, applicants must provide an environmental impact assessment certificate, proof of financial capacity to undertake the installation or construction of the cable system, as well as a well-defined maintenance plan.

Finally, the application must include proof of payment of the permit application fee and demonstrate compliance with all specified conditions and criteria.

Last June, Transport Minister Makame Mbarawa tasked Latra with carrying out his duties to attract investors in cable transport.

The Latra (Licensing of Railway Operators) Regulations, 2024, will govern the operations of private operators of the Tanzania Railways.

The Transport Licensing (Exclusive Public Transport License) Regulations 2024 will focus on the provision of public transport services on an exclusive basis.

An exclusive license allows the provision of specialized public transport services in urban areas or in certain parts thereof, along specific routes or between these areas, for a specified period, in accordance with the proposed regulations.