In a surprise move, the Government of Zimbabwe, last week, through the Transport Minister, announced a ban on commuter omnibuses operating within a 60km radius. This sudden decision has left many, questioning the government’s forward planning and consideration for the thousands of people who rely on these buses for their daily commute.
Critics have said the ban is set to bring chaos to the lives of countless Zimbabweans who depend on commuter omnibuses as their primary mode of transportation. With no alternative transport options in place, people will be forced to walk long distances or resort to more expensive and less reliable alternatives.
This move will disproportionately affect low-income earners, students, and workers who cannot afford the luxury of private transportation. Furthermore, the ban will also have a devastating impact on the livelihoods of omnibus operators and their employees, who will now be left without a source of income. The government’s failure to provide adequate notice and alternative solutions raises serious concerns about their preparedness and commitment to addressing the needs of their citizens. As the ban takes effect, the country can expect widespread disruption, inconvenience, and hardship for those affected.
Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Felix Mhona in a public notice stated that the ban was aimed at promoting safer and more reliable transportation for the public.
“We urge all commuters traveling beyond 60km to use transport services offered by high-capacity buses, which are more predictable, reliable, comfortable, and consistent than kombis on long-distance routes,” said Mhona.
In a telephone interview with this publication Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe, Managing Director Munesuishe Munodawafa welcomed the government’s decision, citing the poor compliance track record, safety standards, and disorderly conduct associated with commuter omnibuses had necessitated the ban.
“Commuter omnibuses often load at dangerous places, disregarding road safety rules, and have inadequate luggage spaces, which compromises passenger safety,” weighed in Munodawafa.
A security guard who commutes from Rusape to Mutare described the announcement by the Minister as that of a person whose mode of transport is a scotchcart.
“Is somebody going to mention how brain dead this move by the transport ministry is?
“I am all for the Transport Ministry ensuring that public transport is worthy of carrying the public, but restricting commuter omnibuses to just 60km sounds like an order from somebody whose last mode of transport was a scotch cart. It is not based on any objective scientific research at all.
This measure lacks forward planning; takes away employment and will see chaos in the satellite towns around harare. Historically, I understand that the white government, in setting up towns like Marondera, Bindura, Norton, Chitungwiza and Beatrice, saw a future where the capital grew to a major megapolis reaching to these satellites. How does the government hope to connect these places if they are making commuter omnibuses illegal? There is no rail transport to cover this gap and the big buses are slow and still unreliable. We have had buses like Mhunga and B&C being banned for too many accidents; but accidents still happen. there could be a million things the ministry could do before banning kombis.
He urged Government tobe strict on overloading, making sure that public transport is roadworthy and clamping down heavily on pirate commuter omnibuses.
A commuter Omnibus driver, Tinashe Chikwava plying the Harare Bindura route expressed concern adding that the ban was not the panacea to road accidents.
“We understand safety concerns, but a total ban is not the solution, We would have appreciated stricter regulations and enforcement instead, now, we will lose our livelihoods and struggle to feed our families, with this drought,” said Chikwava.
Previously, kombis with a 26-seater capacity or less were allowed to operate within a 120-kilometer radius.
The new regulation requires kombis operating within the 60km radius to be equipped with speed limiting and monitoring devices. Inspection officers have been instructed to enforce this law strictly, ensuring that no commuter omnibus operates without these devices.
The TSCZ boss was optimistic that if the new regulation is religiously enforced the public will have confidence in using buses that offer safer luggage spaces, separating passengers and their packages, unlike commuter omnibuses where passengers are often in the same compartment.
He said TSCZ anticipates the enforcement to be stepped up for increased safety of the traveling public.
