Busse für Tansania

Report of Convoy

Busses and trucks from Dar Es Salaam to Kibindo and Kasulu
Executed by Boss Pro-Tec GmbH - Peter Glauben, Chief Engineer

Brief report of convoy, daily progress, road condition, driver behaviour and technical problems encountered and modifications made in order to make the 5 busses totally suitable for Tanzanian roads.

The road from DAR to Kigoma is partly in very bad shape, big potholes, ditches etc. Despite this it was without any problems (even with this low ground clearance, as these busses were delivered) possible for all 5 busses to reach Kibondo without even a scratch.

29.April

Departure from DAR rather late, due to loading procedures. All vehicles have been fuelled the previous day. Drivers advised to go slow and stick to the convoy. No extra cargo or persons allowed. About 30 km out of DAR bus No. 3172 developed problem with engine brake. Provisional repair on the road. Due to that the convoy could only reach Morogoro that day. Road perfect, average speed 60 kph, drivers behaviour disciplined, average consumption 30 l Diesel/100 km = 3 km/l. Problems with Police station Morogoro for parking the convoy overnight but due to one driver’s very patient negotiations, eventually no problem.

01.May

The road to Singida is in very bad shape. For the 242 km the convoy needed 12 h but all busses arrived without any problems due to slow and careful driving. The Landcruiser that was loaded on the truck No. 3154 had to be retightened several times what also slowed the convoy considerably and gives an indication about the road, which is the worst piece of road all the way to Kigoma. But again due to slow and careful driving no bus suffered any damage, even without the modifications that have been made later.

03.May

Good road till junction to Ngara, after that mixed conditions but absolutetly no comparison to Singida road. No problems, neither technical, nor disciplinary. Arrival in Kibondo 1600 h. Head of office gave an “extreme warm and polite” welcome.

05.May

Training of mechanics from NPA,TCRS+GTZ seriously started. Introduction of basic difference between bus/truck Mercedes Benz and service procedures. Again contradictive information about the condition of the bus in Kasulu comes in. My suggestion of taking the remaining two busses with the assistance of the 4WD-truck that has come back offloaded from Ngara, destination Kasulu, damage assessment and possible repair was scrapped again without consultation. Carried on with training. All frames of spare wheel carriers removed and spare wheels stored in luggage compartments, giving more ground clearance to the front.
Manuals and Laptop and spare parts-software plus tools and jack sets for three busses plus toolbox handed over to TCRS logistics. Logistics was introduced into the spare parts system of Mercedes Benz.

07.May

Another change, no bus is leaving Kibondo. I had to go to Kasulu by station wagon, make a damage assessment and come back. Journey to Kasulu on a fairly good road with some difficult stretches in between, but repeat, no comparison to the very bad road to and from Singida. By arrival at Kasulu damage assessment: One wheel rim bent and tyre damaged, both can be repaired easily. Door to one luggage compartment hinges are bent, can be repaired easily.

11.May

Absolutely no problems on the road, though there are some bad parts. But again, no comparison to the roads the convoy passed without any damage. By using this road already twice I could not even determine where actually the accident to bus No. 3173 could have happened, unless the cause was reckless driving and overspeeding.
Total time used Kibodo – Kasulu: 3 ½ h for 154 km. By this road test it was possible to gather information how much the busses should be raised on top of the modification already performed.Training at GTZ compound continued. Modification concerning the further raising of the busses carried out to the limit which gave another 10 cm ground clearance. The technical limit are a number of different facts, to be explained later.

13.May

Brief meeting with head of sub office Kasulu to report. Road to Kigoma in good condition, 2 h for approx. 100 km with bus No. 3169. Eventually all busses arrived at their final destination, fit for the roads, raised to the max. ground clearance final rear adjustment  (bumper to ground: 62 cm). Brief visit at UNHCR to collect return ticket to DAR. Unfortunately everybody seemed to be in meetings. After check-in at Hilltop return to GTZ-workshop for the first training session. Second will be held tomorrow morning.