Govt crafts new measures for transport sector

Mashudu Netsianda Senior Reporter
The Government is crafting new measures to restore sanity in the transport sector, the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Dr Obert Mpofu, has said.He said the measures would see the Government acting on unregistered transport operators.

“I am coming up with a raft of measures to ensure the smooth running of operations in the transport sector. We also need to decisively deal with those who operate unregistered cars to carry people and those still using old number plates.

“We have also noted that some of those vehicles have defects and they contribute to an increase in road carnages and as Government, we need to address that issue,” said Dr Mpofu.

Conventional long-distance bus operators have in the past lamented competition from unregistered transport operators, who were illegally plying their routes resulting in a sharp decline in business.

Light vehicles such as Toyota Granvias with a carrying capacity of 11 passengers are now plying long distance routes. However, some of them reportedly go beyond their stipulated distances in contravention of the requirements of their operators’ permits.

According to the Road Traffic Act, buses carrying less than 30 passengers are only allowed to operate within a 140km radius of where they are based.

The minister also warned public transport operators against increasing fares without Government approval. Dr Mpofu said although the issue of fares was open for deliberation, it remained Government’s prerogative to gazette the fares in line with the law.

“As Government, we are against an unjustified increase of commuter fares by transport operators. The issue of fares remains a matter to deliberate on and if the Government feels there is a need to adjust them, it will be done accordingly and such increases would then be gazetted in terms of the law.

“Those who act outside the law risk being arrested and we won’t hesitate to impound their vehicles,” said Dr Mpofu.
He said the Government would also upgrade the country’s road network. “We intend to develop our roads most of which are in a bad state. All the roads will be refurbished including those in the rural areas.

“In the near future, the entire road network would be safe to road users so that we reduce carnages,” he said.
The Minister challenged the Vehicle Inspection Depot (VID) to be professional.

“We want professionalism at VID and the regulations should be applied above board. When it comes to impounding unroadworthy vehicles, that has to done without fear or favour as even Zupco buses should not be an exception,” said Dr Mpofu.