RESUMPTION OF CROSS-BORDER PASSENGER TRAIN SERVICES

The Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) is pleased to announce the reorganisation and resumption of cross-border passenger train services between the United Republic of Tanzania and the Republic of Zambia, with effect from Tuesday, 10 February 2026.

This milestone will restore seamless rail connectivity between the two countries following a suspension in June 2024 due to technical challenges, and reaffirms TAZARA’s founding mandate to promote regional mobility, trade, tourism, and people-to-people interaction.

PASSENGER SERVICE REORGANISATION

The resumption of cross-border passenger services follows a targeted reorganisation of passenger operations aimed at ensuring inclusivity, sustainability, and reliability, within the realities of current operating constraints.

This reorganisation includes the rationalisation of passenger services between Dar es Salaam and New Kapiri Mposhi, with weekly trips adjusted from four (4) to two (2) only. The adjustment enables the consolidation of coaches and locomotives to strengthen the Mukuba service—serving local and international travellers between Dar es Salaam and New Kapiri Mposhi—and the Udzungwa service, which serves local travellers between Kilombero and Makambako. This approach improves reliability, optimises capacity utilisation, and ensures more consistent passenger service delivery across the network.

Key objectives of the reorganisation are to:

  • Optimise the utilisation of limited rolling stock, particularly passenger coaches and locomotives, in a context where fleet availability remains constrained due to ageing equipment, maintenance requirements, and phased rehabilitation programmes;
  • Re-focus passenger services to strengthen core regional and cross-border routes;
  • Restore cross-border passenger connectivity in support of regional trade, tourism, and social interaction;
  • Improve service reliability through a harmonised operating schedule that balances express and ordinary services, ensuring no passenger segment is left behind.

SERVICE PATTERN & FREQUENCY

The unified cross-border passenger service will operate as a combination of Express and Ordinary services as follows:

THE MUKUBA

From New Kapiri Mposhi (NKM) – Zambia: Every Tuesday | Departure: 14:00 CAT

From Dar es Salaam (DSM) – Tanzania: Every Friday | Departure: 15:50 EAT

  • Express service (stopping at major stations only): New Kapiri Mposhi ↔ Kasama; Nakonde ↔ Msolwa
  • Ordinary service (stopping at all stations): Kasama ↔ Nakonde; Dar es Salaam ↔ Msolwa

The Mukuba will operate as an Ordinary service between Kasama and Nakonde, and between Dar es Salaam and Msolwa, and run as an Express Train between New Kapiri Mposhi and Kasama and between Nakonde and Msolwa. This arrangement responds to high passenger demand in sections where no parallel road infrastructure exists.

THE UDZUNGWA

The Udzungwa service will continue operating two (2) ordinary service trips per week between Kidatu and Makambako, in Tanzania, to cater for high passenger demand between Morogoro and Njombe regions.

COMMENCEMENT DATE

The cross-border passenger train service will commence on Tuesday, 10 February 2026, with the inaugural departure from New Kapiri Mposhi, Zambia.

LOOKING AHEAD

TAZARA remains committed to restoring safe, reliable, affordable, and region-connecting passenger rail services as part of its broader transformation and revitalisation agenda, in line with TAZARA’s original mandate and brand identity.

For details on ticketing and station contacts, please contact TAZARA stations or download contact numbers here: www.tazarasite.com/contact-us

TANZANIA-ZAMBIA RAILWAY AUTHORITY
TAZARA@50 (July 1976–2026) — From Liberation to Transformation