Abstract
Abstract. This paper is a result of the findings into the study on the operations of commercial motorcycle taxis in Dar es Salaam City (Tanzania). The paper among other key issues examines the daily operations of commercial motorcycle taxis to determine its challenges and sustainability thus providing ways of improving the sector. It also examined challenges and opportunities involved in the sector. The study involved 370 respondents which are operators and commuters. The study found out that there are a number of challenges associated with the daily operations of commercial motorcycle taxis in the city, like long working hours among operators thus affecting safety of the services offered; poor relations among operators and law enforcement officers which in turn has contributed significantly to low level of adherence to the set rules and regulations. The study further revealed that there are no contracts between operators and owners thus denying some basic legal rights of the operators and commuters. Furthermore the study found out that there are no basic facilities in the parking areas for the motor cycle taxi operations. The paper concludes that in spite of the existing challenges and problems in the operations of the commercial motorcycle taxis in the city yet, a good number of commuters depend on it as the mode of transport for different reasons. Thus it is important to address the aforementioned challenges so as to improve the general services offered by this mode of travel.
Keywords. Commercial motorcycle taxis, Challenges and opportunities, Sustainability.
JEL. L60, L62, L69.References
Cambridge Advanced Learners Dictionary (2008). 2nd ed. Cambridge University Press.
Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2007). Research Methods in Education 6th ed. New York Routledge Publication.
Criswell, J.H. (2004). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches. 2nd ed. London: Sage Publication Inc.
Gatersleben, B., & Uzzel, D. (1997). Sustainable transport. Journal of Transport Geography, 5(3), 177-190. doi. 10.1016/S0966-6923(97)00013-6
Genontologija, A. (2006) Sample size calculation in epidemiological studies: Theory and practice, 7(4), 225-231.
JICA, (2008). Dar es Salaam Transport Policy & System Development, Master Plan, Unpublished report, Tokyo: Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Kanyama, C.A., Linden, A.L., & Lupala, J. (2004). Public Transport in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: L Institutional Challenges and Opportunities for a sustainable transport system. Stockholm: FOI Press.
Kombo, D.K., & Tromp, D.L.A. (2006). Proposal and Thesis Writing. An Introduction. Makuyu: Don Bosco Publication.
Kulash, D.J. (1999). Transportation and Society. [Retrieved from].
Litman, T. (2005). Evaluating Transportation Equity: Guidance for Incorporating Distribution Impacts in Transportation Planning. Victoria Transport Policy Institute. Accessed: 20th November. [Retrieved from].
Mc Clelland, C. (2000). Theory and International System. London: Mc Millan Publishers.
Mfinanga, D.A., & Madinda, D. (2013). An analysis of minibus transport operational problems in Dar es Salaam. Annual Southern Africa Transport Conference Paper. Accessed: 18th March. [Retrieved from].
Mfinanga, D.A. (2012) Challenges and opportunities for integration of commuter minibus operators into the Dar es Salaam City BRT system. Southern African Conference Paper, Accessed: 12th April 2015. [Retrieved from].
Ministry of Planning and Finance, (2012). Housing and Census report. Dar es Salaam: Ministry of Planning and Finance.
Mutiso (2010). Bodaboda taxis and their role in urban transport systems: case studies of Nakuru and Kisumu, Kenya. Unpublished Master’s Thesis.
Olvera, L. (2003). Transportation Conditions and access to services in the context of Urban sprawl and Deregulation, The case of Dar es Salaam. Transport Policy, 10(4), 287-298. doi. 10.1016/S0967-070X(03)00056-8
Oshima, R., & Fukuda, A. (2007). Regulation of motorcycle taxi service in Bangkok. Journal of Eastern Asia society for Transportation Studies, 7(1), 1828-1843.
Rodrique, J.P. (2009). The Geography of Transportation System, New York: Routledge.
Toffour, Y.A., & Appiagyei, D.K.N. (2014) Motorcycle taxis in public transportation services within Acraa metropolis. Journal of American Civil Engineering. 20(4), 117-112.
Yin, R.K. (2009). Case Study Research Design and Methods, 4th ed, USS: SAGE Publications.