The Land Transport Regulatory Authority (LATRA) has announced the development of a new vehicle tracking system to counteract signal manipulation and improve road safety, as revealed by Director General Habibu Suluo. The system, currently in advanced development, will replace the existing Vehicle Tracking System (VTS), which Suluo described as using outdated technology susceptible to interference. This vulnerability has enabled discrepancies where monitored vehicle data does not align with real-time movements, undermining enforcement of safety regulations. Suluo made these remarks during a media briefing, highlighting LATRA’s efforts to modernize transport oversight during the Sixth Phase Government’s five-year period (2021/22 to 2025/26).
Suluo attributed the shortcomings of the current VTS—originally inherited from the defunct Surface and Marine Transport Regulatory Authority (SUMATRA)—to evolving technological demands. He noted that signal interference has created situations where monitoring centers display inaccurate locations or speeds, enabling operators to evade accountability. The existing VTS, which relies on satellite technology, Vehicle Tracking Devices (VTDs), and GPS data servers, has faced challenges despite its role in enforcing safety standards under the Land Transport Regulatory Authority Act. However, LATRA has expanded its monitoring capabilities, connecting 14,743 buses to the system by 2025/26, up from 5,979 in 2021/22, and extending coverage to 27 TAZARA freight locomotives.
In addition to upgrading tracking infrastructure, LATRA has implemented electronic I-buttons for driver identification, increasing registered drivers from 256 in 2022/23 to 13,829 by 2025/26. Suluo announced plans to introduce fingerprint verification to prevent impersonation during driving tests and vehicle operations, citing instances where third parties took exams on behalf of registrants. “These measures are meant to improve safety, strengthen accountability, and protect passengers, vehicle owners, and national resources,” he stated. The authority has also deployed tracking devices on over 204 Dar es Salaam commuter buses since April 2023, addressing complaints about route violations and fare noncompliance by ensuring post-journey accountability for drivers and conductors.
LATRA’s push for technological upgrades comes amid growing public demand for transparency in transport operations. The new system is expected to be demonstrated in 2024, marking a pivotal step in modernizing Tanzania’s land transport regulatory framework. Suluo emphasized that the reforms align with the Sixth Phase Government’s mandate to enhance safety, efficiency, and public trust in the sector. The authority’s efforts reflect a broader commitment to leveraging innovation for safer and more accountable transportation networks across the country.