Tinaye Agere
Standrick Chagadama
The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development has reduced radius restrictions for commuter omnibuses from 120km to 60km, urging the travelling public to resort to conventional buses for longer distances.
The new restrictions took effect from Tuesday this week for operators seeking new permits.
In a statement, the ministry said the measure was one of the many robust policies and regulatory and administrative mechanisms being adopted to improve the country’s road safety regime.
“Thus, it implies that all 26-seater kombis and below will be restricted to offer transport services within a radius of distances not exceeding 60 km. We urge all commuters travelling beyond the 60 km radius to use transport services offered by high-capacity buses,” said the ministry.
“These buses are more predictable, reliable, comfortable and more consistent than the quality of service offered by kombis on long-distance routes.
“Buses also have greater leg space and baggage space for long-distance travellers than kombis, which makes buses more ideal for long-distance journeys.”
The ministry emphasised that kombis operating within the 60km radius were prohibited from operating without the installation of speed limiting and monitoring devices in terms of Section 3 (1) of Statutory Instrument 118 of 2023, which prescribes that no person shall operate or drive on any road, a passenger public service vehicle registered in Zimbabwe, unless both devices are fitted to the vehicle.
“All inspection officers should adhere to this law and ensure that no kombi operator, driver or owner is issued with a certificate of fitness unless both devices are so fitted to the kombis,” said the ministry.
All law enforcement officers, the ministry said, should ensure that all kombis were complying as prescribed by the law.
The ministry noted with concern that the kombis and unauthorised vehicles (mushika-shika) were picking up and dropping passengers on non-designated points, thereby causing damage to the shoulders of the roads, most of which were recently refurbished, with clearly designated picking and dropping points.
Online Reporter