admingrant Zimbabwe operators permits.
In an interview yesterday, association chief executive officer, Mr Alex Kautsiro said they were keen to engage South Africa on some technical challenges they were facing.
“The Bi-lateral Road Transport Agreements work to give us as operators, platforms for access to high level government delegations,” he said.
“In the recent past, Zimbabwe and Zambia had a Joint Route Management Group Meeting which allowed us to highlight matters that may be deemed to be impediments to our businesses, they include border delays and law enforcement challenges.
“However, there are other countries whose relationships with Zimbabwe are not as clear cut as Zambia, namely South Africa, due to hired buses and unfair playing
ground in South Africa regarding ranking facilities and Botswana due to a higher number of their buses compared to our accessing the routes between our countries”.
Mr Kautsiro said in a meeting held last week, members expressed concern on Botswana authorities’ apparent reluctance to grant permits to locals.
“We discussed need to open up new routes, particularly the need to address the challenge with Botswana not allowing players from Zimbabwe to get permits which
would create a balance between the two countries,” he said.
The association held an award ceremony for its members which they said was aimed at developing efficiency.
The Bus Awards were established in 2011.
At that time it was in the desire to improve service provision by championing the safety and comfort of passengers.
“This year, the awards were about maintaining those standards in order to improve the performance of our business which in turn would help further our industry,” said Mr Kautsiro.
Online Reporter