Magufuli Bus Terminal Elevators Have Been Out of Service for Four Years

Elevators at Dar es Salaam’s Magufuli Main Bus Terminal have stood idle for nearly four years, leaving passengers to climb stairs and limiting activity on the building’s upper floors.

The problem has become more visible since August 17, 2026, when buses were ordered to begin and end their journeys at the terminal, bringing more passengers through the facility. Ubungo Municipal Council has now directed that the elevators be repaired, including for the benefit of older passengers and people with special needs.

Traders said both the escalators and conventional elevators are out of service. Rebecca Bigawa said passengers often remain on the ground floor near the buses, while businesses upstairs struggle to attract customers. She said the terminal’s intended layout requires passengers to go to the third floor to buy tickets and then return to the second floor to wait for departure, but that arrangement is not working fully.

Terminal manager Isaac Kisebo said an electrical fault damaged some equipment. He said the necessary parts have already been ordered and will be installed when they arrive.

The municipal finance committee also ordered the terminal to create a customer service desk and install clearer signs pointing to waiting areas, toilets, offices and other services. The instructions followed a September 7 inspection aimed at improving efficiency, safety, cleanliness and passenger access.

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There are escalators and conventional elevators here, but none of them are working. When passengers arrive, they stop downstairs near the buses, and we cannot even do business upstairs.