TAZARA procures four new locomotives

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Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) has procured four new locomotives using a $22.4 million loan from China.

The joint venture railway company will also use the money to purchase rolling stock.

TAZARA Spokesperson Conrad Simuchile in statement says the new locomotives are expected to uplift the current daily availability of mainline locomotives by 33 percent to an average of 16 locomotives.

Mr Simuchile adds that the four new locomotives will also improve the operations of TAZARA, which has struggled with old, infrequently maintained equipment.

He says the funds are an interest-free loan from the Chinese government to Tanzania and Zambia to support TAZARA.

The Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) has been hit by a slump in cargo and passenger traffic and undercapitalisation over the past decade.