Tanzania's railway authorities commenced the first electric standard gauge railway (SGR) commercial operations from Dar es Salaam to the Morogoro region on Friday, covering 300 kilometers.

"This is a milestone advancement in Tanzania's transport infrastructure that promises to enhance connectivity and efficiency and stimulate economic growth," said Tanzania Railways Corporation Director General Masanja Kadogosa.

Deputy Minister for Transport David Kihenzile said 1,400 passengers traveled from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro on the maiden electric SGR train free of charge, adding that the train left Dar es Salaam at 6:10 a.m. local time and arrived in Morogoro at 7:55 a.m.

"The maiden electric SGR commercial operations between the two destinations was historic," said Kihenzile, adding that the fares from and back to Dar es Salaam were paid for by President Samia Suluhu Hassan as her appreciation for the launch of the commercial operations.

Kadogosa said the entire SGR project will cover 1,596 km, covering five lots, from Dar es Salaam to the Mwanza region.

According to Kadogosa, the enhanced speed of the train will significantly reduce travel times and facilitate the efficient movement of goods and people throughout Tanzania.

Once fully commissioned in July 2024, the SGR trains, running at an average speed of 160 km per hour, will cut the travel time between Dar es Salaam and Morogoro to about two hours, down from the current four-hour journey by bus and five hours by train on the old meter-gauge railway, he said.