A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of
Master’s in Information and Communication Science and Engineering of the Nelson
Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology
The rapid population growth in Dar Es Salaam has prompted the demand of effective
transport system in the city. This tremendous rise of population leads to a serious road traffic
congestion, which brings a number of challenges into the city and other growing urban areas.
The city’s local governments attempted various solutions to control the traffic congestions
including building of other roads, expansion and extension of present roads, installation of
traffic lights and other transportation infrastructures though they have not relieved the
problem. The Government of Tanzania (GoT) supported the city’s efforts by establishing the
administrative organ called Dar Es Salaam Rapid Transit (DART) to administer the
implementation of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system.
The government through DART has improved the public transport in the city. The BRT
system provided direct benefits to passengers like minimal travelling time, improved
reliability as compared to other public transport commonly known as daladala and accident
reduction because BRT buses use their exclusive lanes.
Besides its advantages, the newly adopted transport system has brought some challenges to
its customers. Among others are; a queue during ticket booking, shortage of smart cards, and
inability to check and top-up balance using passengers' mobile phones.
Therefore, the study presents a software-based solution that will help passengers to check
balance, send request by specifying station to board a bus and check or predict bus arrival
time at any station.