Kenyan long-distance bus operators are set to face operational changes following new axle-based weight control rules introduced by the Government of Tanzania, which require passenger buses to use weighbridges across the country.
In a directive to all regional commissioners, Tanzania’s Ministry of Construction, through the Tanzania Roads Agency (TANROADS), ordered the implementation of the new rules following an emergency meeting convened by the Prime Minister in Dodoma between April 12 and 13, 2026.
“The Ministry of Works participated in an emergency meeting convened by the Honorable Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania between Government institutions and Passenger Bus Owners held from 12-13 April, 2026 in Dodoma to discuss proposals to reduce the impact on passenger bus owners resulting from the increase in fuel prices in the country,” read part of the statement.
The meeting brought together government institutions and passenger bus owners to address rising fuel prices and transport inefficiencies.
According to the government, the discussions focused on reducing long delays at weighbridges, which were contributing to fuel wastage, increased operational costs, and passenger inconvenience.
Kenyan Long-Distance Buses to Be Affected as Tanzania Implements New Axel Rules
Under the new rules, buses will be classified by axle configuration to determine whether they are subject to weighbridge checks or exempt.
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Modern buses with specific axle types will be allowed to bypass weighbridges entirely, while others will only be weighed at the beginning and end of their journeys within Tanzania.
As a result, modern buses fitted with axle configurations SS D6 and SS DC4S2 will be exempted from weighing at all stations, allowing them to bypass weighbridges entirely.
However, buses in the SS S4 category will be weighed only at two points: the first and last stations of their journey, as assigned by the Land Transport Regulatory Authority (LATRA).
This means that buses running routes such as Nairobi–Dar es Salaam and Nairobi–Arusha will have to comply with Tanzania’s classification system once they enter the country.
Additionally, passengers traveling on cross-border buses may benefit from shorter travel times as the number of stops at weighbridge stations is expected to reduce significantly under the new system.
These measures are also intended to ease operational pressures on bus operators amid rising fuel prices and to streamline transport management across the country.
Tanzania Announces Fuel Price Hike
The Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (Ewura) announced new cap prices for petroleum products, effective immediately, despite recent government assurances that reserves would cover domestic demand until at least mid-May.
Retail prices in the commercial capital, Dar es Salaam, rose sharply.
Petrol increased from Tsh2,864 ($1.10) to Tsh3,820 ($1.53) per liter, while diesel climbed from Tsh2,951 ($1.15) to Tsh3,806 ($1.52). Kerosene, widely used by low-income households, now costs Tsh3,684 ($1.48) per liter.
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In inland regions such as Mara, Mwanza, Kagera, and Kigoma, petrol and diesel prices exceeded Tsh4,000 ($1.60) per liter.
The increase is likely to feed quickly into transport costs, pushing up prices of food and other basic goods at local markets, as well as public transport fares.
According to Ewura Director General James Mwainyekule, the new prices have been “largely influenced” by the Middle East conflict, which has led to the indefinite closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for about 20 percent of global oil supplies.
He noted that the disruption has driven up shipping costs, including higher insurance premiums for vessels and rising Free on Board (FOB) prices in the Gulf market.
