Kombis face ban

out of commuter omnibuses that carry less than 26 passengers.
A senior Government official last week said Zimbabwe was considering the policy to improve the transport sector in both safety and infrastructure.
“Government is cognisant of the im-portance of a reliable transport sector, that is why there is this draft national policy.
“Among the various proposals in the draft policy document are promotion of high-capacity transport modes such as trains and articulated buses and the gradual phasing out of small kombis with a sitting capacity of less than 26,” the source said.

Secretary for Transport, Communication and Infrastructural Developme-nt Mr Partson Mbiriri last week said his ministry endorsed the thrust and looked forward to progress on the Zim-babwean market.
He said this during a tour of Harare-based company, Sub-Sahara Africa Bu-ses, which says it will soon have the capacity to annually assemble at least 500 32-seater buses.
Countries like Kenya and Tanzania have already moved towards this model and have said it has resulted in reduced traffic congestion, as there are fewer buses on the streets.

Officials from those countries also said the use of larger buses had resul-ted in a reduction of road accidents and fatalities.
If adopted, it would be aligned to the Medium-Term Development Plan.

Since the Government liberalised the public transport sector in 1993, there has been an influx of kombis.
“The move is also meant to ease congestion on the roads in major urban areas and ensure a reliable public tran-sport service,” the Government official added.

The draft policy intends to improve transport infrastructure that has deteriorated over the years due to lack of maintenance as a result of resource constraints caused by illegal Western sanctions on Zimbabwe.
“Some of the challenges that have been identified include lack of sustainable investment in the transport sector, high transport costs and lack of adaptation to new information technologies.” The source said the Government intended to address some of the challenges through public-private partnerships in provision of transport infrastructure.

Zimbabwe has a 90 000km road network, with 14 000km surfaced, 56 000km all-weather and 20 000km gravel.
The draft policy seeks to align Zimbabwe with various international protocols on transport and communication that the country is signatory to.

These include the Sadc Protocol on Transport, Communication and Meteorology; the Comesa Transport Policy Framework and Strategies; and the AU Protocol on Transport, Communications and Tourism among others.

It will harmonise local legislation on transport – like the District Development Fund Act, the Road Act and the Rural District Council Act – to prevent contradictions and duplication.
The policy also seeks to address HIV and Aids within the context of the transport sector.

Some of the measures to be adopted include increased awareness campaigns of the pandemic among transporters, especially long distance drivers, and expediting clearance systems at border posts.
The draft policy proposes an institutional framework to co-ordinate all relevant issues under the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Infrastructural Development.

Currently five ministries (Transport, Finance, Local Government, Home Affairs and Energy) administer transport regulations.
Other long-term plans envisaged in the draft policy include the creation of a Marine and Maritime Authority, Railways Regulatory Authority and the Border Post Authority.

The draft policy was compiled in consultation with transport sector stakeholders and is understood to be under scrutiny of heads of ministries and their principal directors.
The Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe is backing the project at a cost yet to be disclosed.

SSA Buses managing director Mr Jacob Kupa said they were working with General Motors East Africa on the project.
“With your (Government’s) support, our aim is to make available at least 500 conventional buses annually for the comfort of the traveling public.”
General Motors South Africa and General Motors East Africa will complement production.

Mr Kevin Ochieng of General Motors East Africa detailed how Kenya had changed its public transport sector.
Autoworld, the local distributor of Isuzu, engineered the deal that will see it supply key components.

Autoworld director Mr Paul Chenjerai said they would supply back-up kits and guarantee the after sales warranty.
The project forecasts to create 3 000 direct jobs and a further 20 000 in down stream industries.