TAZARA cross-border passenger services restart on Feb 10

TAZARA cross-border passenger services will return between the United Republic of Tanzania and the Republic of Zambia, with the reorganised timetable taking effect on Tuesday, 10 February 2026, according to TAZARA Announces Resumption of Cross-Border Services.

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The Tanzania–Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) said the restart restores rail connectivity after cross-border passenger trains were suspended in June 2024 because of technical and operational challenges, as reported by Railways Africa. The authority said the move also supports its mandate to promote regional mobility, trade, tourism, and people-to-people interaction.

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Passenger service reorganisation and priorities

TAZARA framed the relaunch as part of a passenger service reorganisation intended to keep operations inclusive, sustainable, and reliable within current constraints. Under the revised plan, passenger services between Dar es Salaam and New Kapiri Mposhi will be rationalised, with weekly trips cut from four to two.

The authority said the reduced frequency will allow coaches and locomotives to be consolidated to strengthen core passenger operations—particularly the Mukuba service and the Udzungwa service. Mukuba is set to focus on cross-border travel for local and international passengers between Dar es Salaam and New Kapiri Mposhi, while Udzungwa will continue as local shuttle operations between Kilombero and Makambako in Tanzania.

“This resumption is about restoring confidence in cross-border rail travel and in our brand identity through a more focused, reliable, and sustainable passenger service,” said Eng. Bruno Ching’andu, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of TAZARA. He added that the service will be further enhanced through the planned acquisition of new passenger coaches and locomotives dedicated to passenger operations. With additional coaches, he said, the number of train journeys between Tanzania and Zambia will be increased to achieve an optimal level of customer experience.

TAZARA said the operating changes are designed to improve reliability and optimise the use of limited rolling stock, reflecting the realities of an ageing fleet undergoing phased rehabilitation. Eng. Ching’andu said available coaches and locomotives will be deployed where they deliver the greatest public benefit, while maintaining safety, affordability, and operational reliability.

Mukuba service timetable and operating pattern

TAZARA said the unified cross-border passenger service will run as a blend of Express and Ordinary services, aligning the pattern with varying passenger demand along the corridor.

For the Mukuba service, departures from New Kapiri Mposhi, Zambia to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania will operate every Tuesday at 14:00 CAT. Departures from Dar es Salaam to New Kapiri Mposhi will operate every Friday at 15:50 EAT.

In both directions, Mukuba will run as an Ordinary service on the Kasama–Nakonde and Msolwa–Dar es Salaam sections, and as an Express service between New Kapiri Mposhi–Kasama and Nakonde–Msolwa. TAZARA said this arrangement responds to strong passenger demand, particularly where parallel road infrastructure is limited or unavailable.

Udzungwa service continues in Tanzania

TAZARA said the Udzungwa service will keep operating two ordinary trips per week between Kidatu and Makambako, ensuring communities in the Morogoro and Njombe regions remain adequately served.

Looking ahead, TAZARA reiterated its commitment to restoring safe, reliable, affordable, region-connecting passenger rail operations as part of its broader transformation and revitalisation agenda—an approach also noted in Railway Supply coverage of TAZARA’s revitalisation plans. Eng. Ching’andu said TAZARA was established to connect people, markets, and economies, and that the restored cross-border passenger service supports regional trade, tourism, and people-to-people movement as the authority marks 50 years of operations.

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