But as commuters began accessing services
available within the facility close to the Tanzania Communications
Regulatory Authority (Tcra) building, it now attracts more city
commuters as well as a group that could pass as local tourists.
With free Internet, CCTV cameras, clean (albeit few) toilets and the fact that the notorious daladala touts have been barred from the facility, it has emerged as a pleasant surprise.
It is an unwritten warning, but anyone going to
any bus terminal knows these rules: hold your wallet very tight at all
times, and hide your cellphone deep under, if possible don’t use it
until the vehicle is in motion!
But with CCTV cameras plus a number of city
askaris on guard, there is no need for alarm. City commuters and
residents visiting the place wander about freely as they talk and browse
on their latest touch-screen gadgets and laptops without fear of being
robbed. A fine of Sh50, 000 is slapped instantly on anyone who litters,
use abuse language or uses a wrong route to enter or exit the terminal.
However, it is the free Wifi that has stolen the
show so far. As subscribers come to terms with skyrocketing data bundle
charges introduced by service providers, being at Mawasiliano, Kiswahili
for communication as the towering Tcra building is known, becomes a
blessing as opposed to the curse it supposedly was at the time it was
named the replacement for the rowdy Ubungo.
Iphones and ipads get to work. Complaints
especially on inconveniences for those who needed to take more than one
bus and the distance from the stand to the main road, for passengers
used to Ubungo, melt away.
Investigations by The Citizen reveals
that some city residents just take the bus to Mawasiliano and then go
back home, after doing whatever they wanted to do on the Internet, that
is.
Terminal manager Elichilia Hamis said Kinondoni
Municipal Council plans to upgrade the dirt road connecting the facility
with Sam Nujoma highway, noting that the authority is first looking for
funds to compensate property owners on the roadsides.
Mr Hamis said upon full completion of the facility
including the market, will add some Sh40 million a month to the
municipality’s coffers.
Ms Saada Rashid, a commuter said she was in love with the facility because it is well designed, spacious and well maintained.
Mr Shaban Elly, a commuter bus driver called upon
the municipal authorities to tarmac the connecting road from Sam Nujoma
Road to the terminal to make the movement in and out as enjoyable as the
services within it.
