Govt mulls mass bus transport system

duty on imported bus kits and spare parts reduced as an incentive to enhance fleet replacement and expansion.
The new thrust is part of the new Government transport policy unveiled last week that seeks to gradually phase out kombis and minibuses with a capacity of less than 26 passengers. The policy would be reviewed every five years to keep it in touch with developments.

Under the policy strategies, Government seeks to promote the use of high transport modes such as standard train and articulated buses which are economic and “efficiently use road space” and encourages the “user pays principle’’ to raise funds for both investment and maintenance.
The policy promotes vehicle-sharing and encourages use of bus transport on selected routes.

There would be designated bus lanes on urban roads to enhance traffic flow and vehicle turnaround.
Minister Goche said heavy vehicles are now banned from the central business district. Towing and clamping of improperly parked vehicles is recognised in the policy.
Urban local authorities are encouraged to plan for pedestrians and vendors in order to minimise conflict with vehicles.

The policy addresses urban road infrastructure through encouraging user-friendly urban designs that speak to the transport infrastructure such as provision of pedestrian and cyclists lanes. Development of passes, ring roads and truck-ins is also encouraged to avoid passage of through traffic via the CBD.

On long distance buses, Minister Goche said each bus should have two drivers. He said Government would incentivise operators plying the resettlement areas.
The policy talks about the development of roads that feed into other modes of transport such as the railway network to enable cheap transportation of farm produce to markets.
Minister Goche said the policy looks at local-rural-travel and transport through which Government will develop approapriate infrastructure such as footpaths, tracks and footbridges especially in areas that people were resettled under the agrarian land reform.

This follows a realisation that because of lack of transport, women bear the brunt of carrying heavy loads from one point to another in rural areas.
The infrastructure that includes proper gravel roads would be developed through public works programmes.

Minister Goche said all transport Acts and statutes would have to be amended to harmonise with the new legislation.
Minister Goche said the policy shifts funding of vital roads with a regional significance from the public sector investment programme to public-private partnerships.