M a r k e t N e w s

Tanzania: BRT Buses to Run on Natural Gas In Next Phase

Posted on : Tuesday, 5th July 2016

Buses to ply in the next phases of the Dar es Salaam Rapid Transit (BRT) project will have their engines run using natural gas to save operational costs, the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) has revealed.

 
"Plans were to use natural gas for buses currently operating in the first phase of the BRT but this was not possible due to some technicalities," a TPDC official, Mr Ismail Naleja, explained at the ongoing 40th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF).
 
He ruled out the possibility of converting the operating systems of buses currently plying in the BRT since their engines are diesel-run.
 
"It could have been possible to modify the operating systems if the motor vehicles were using petrol. Diesel-run engines are not compatible with systems used in natural gas," the official explained.
 
At present, there are 60 motor vehicles in the country, which have had their engines modified to use petrol and natural gas but the official was positive that the number will significantly increase when the BRT buses will start using natural gas in their next phases.
 
He called on Tanzanians to modify their vehicles to use gas, which is abundantly available in the country as it was cheaper compared to petroleum products.
 
Mr Naleja explained that TPDC was in touch with the BRT operators to ensure that buses imported for the next phases are compatible to natural gas use, which will significantly reduce operating costs for the modern public transport project. "With the use of natural gas, even fares would be lower.
 
One kilogramme of gas covers a distance where one and half litre of petrol or diesel is used. "One would part with 1,500/- for one kilogramme of gas and yet one and half litre of fuel costs about 3,000/-.
 
In the same vein, a vehicle using natural gas will be serviced once while that of petrol and diesel will be serviced twice in the same period," he explained.
 
On the other hand, the use of natural gas in motor vehicles is deemed environmentally-friendly since it does not involve carbon emissions as opposed to petroleum products. He admitted, however, that the major challenge facing use of natural gas for motor vehicles is shortage of filling stations.
 
There is currently one station at Ubungo selling gas. However, he said that plans are underway to set up 25 filling stations in Dar es Salaam. According to the TPDC official, the cost for converting petrol-run vehicles is about 2 million/- per vehicle.
 
However, he was quick to add that the cost can be reimbursed within five months due to low operating costs of using the energy. The use of alternative fuels, particularly natural gas, has been deliberated for quite some time, given adequate reserves of the natural resource in the country.

Source : allafrica.com
Featured Companies
  • KG INTERNATIONAL FZCO
  • MIDDLE EAST BATTERY COMPANY
  • DEERFOS
  • PINNACLE
  • dubaiexporters.com
  • J.K. Fenner Limited

Complete List  

Advertisers in previous issue:

  • Mobile Crushing and Screening plant
  • Kenya
  • Boston Garage Equipment Ltd is a leading suppliers of a superb range of vehicle workshop equipment.
  • High quality spare parts for truks
  • The Bajaj Group is amongst the top 10 business houses in India. Its footprint stretches over a wide range of industries, spanning automobiles (two-wheelers and three-wheelers), home appliances, lighting, iron and steel, insurance, travel and finance.
  • Changzhou Guoshi Vehicle Accessories Co.,Ltd. is proficient in vehicle spare parts manufacturing and has involved a lot of capital, time and resources to make us prominent in this industry.
  • Our corporation is an important motorcycle production base in southern China.
  • DM is one of the leading manufacturer specialized in reflective material in the world, which is only one manufacturer that not only produce personal safety production but also produce traffic safety production in China.
  • GUANGZHOU YIFENG AUTO PARTS MANUFACTURING CO., LTD. is a professional manufacturer and distributor of automotive filters, mainly specializing in all kinds of oil filters, fuel filters and air filters.
  • Fuel Saver
  • China Jiangsu Dongxing Auto Decorations Co.,Ltd,established in 1989,the manufacturer of cabin and body parts for truck Mercedes-Benz, Volvo,Scania,Man,Iveco,Daf and Renault.
  • ANAM Motors Co., Ltd., has been expanding its areas into many markets of Auto motive Spare Parts in worldwide from the establishment year of 1998.
  • Meizhou Jinda Auto Parts Co.,Ltd. is a state-owned enterprise ,specializing in manufacturing auto clutch disc and brake.
  • Yellow stone diesel-One of the leading manufacturers of engine parts.
  • Our products are widely used and serviced for passenger car,truck,tractor,agricultural & earthmoving machines,stationary & marine engine.
  • Zhenjiang Huixiang Light&Electrical Co.,Ltd.), which located in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province of China, specialize in producing auto&motorcycle bulbs.
  • Product includes Braking, Steering, Suspension, Filtration, Transmission, Cooling, Heating, Electrical, Engine, Lubricants, Chemicals, Wiping, Lighting etc.
  • Car garage equipment
  • Specialized in development, design, manufacture and sale of steel wheel of the truck and trailer and bus,etc.
  • Pro Media is established by a group of advertising sales people who have had over 25 years of experience in Taiwan’s two-wheeled industry.
  • Lanfeng machine Co., LTD is a collection of R&D, production and sales of Fuel dispenser and LPG dispenser, gas station equipment of large enterprises in China.
  • Auto Parts
  • Global Auto Parts is an Automotive Aftermarket spare parts wholesaler offering genuine quality aftermarket replacement parts for all makes and models of passenger cars, light commercials vehicles, trucks and trailers.
  • We are producing six categories and nearly one thousand kinds and sizes of bias tyre, OTR tyre, radial tyre, Industrial tyre, agricultural tyre and solid tyre.
  • Best Choice International Trade is one of the leading tyre exporter in China, and a major supplier of tyres and engines in Beijing Municipality.
Afrotrade International Marketing, Tel: +971-50-6285684
© 1998-2025 Afrotrade