Prominance Sinomusa Khumalo
The government’s sudden announcement to reduce operating distances for kombis from 120km to 60km has left public transport operators reeling, while creating an opportunity for imishikashika operators to fill the gap.
In a statement released on 3 September 2024, the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Felix Mhona said,
“As the Ministry endeavors to mitigate against road traffic crashes involving Kombis, a policy position has been taken to review the current road based restrictions for Kombis on the issuance of route permits from 120km to 60km with effect from 3rd September 2024 for operators seeking new permits.”
But the Kombi operators are not happy, claiming that they were never consulted and the decision is unilateral and the decision will impact on their operations.
“We were not consulted before this decision was made,” said the Bulawayo-Nyamandlovu-Tsholotsho Taxis Association (Bunyatsho) chairman, representing 60 members.
“This new policy will severely impact our business and leave many passengers stranded.”
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona defended the move, stating:
“The steps have been taken to mitigate against increasing road accidents, which have claimed several lives and left many passengers maimed.”
The Minister further urged all commuters who will be traveling further than 60km to use ‘transport services offered by high capacity buses’.
As if campaigning for ‘high capacity buses’ Minister Mhona further said,
“These buses are predictable, reliable, comfortable and are constance than the quality offered by Kombis on long distant routes.”
The Minister further invoked Section 3 (1) of Statutory Instrument (S.I.) 118 of 2023 which entails all Kombis to install speed limiting and monitoring devices on their vehicles. The S.I reads in part;
no person shall operate or drive on any road, a passenger public service vehicle registered in Zimbabwe unless both of these devices are fitted to the vehicle
Minister Mhona urged all traffic law enforcement agents to ensure that ‘no Kombi operator or owner is issued with a certificate of fitness unless the devices are fitted in the Kombi.’
Meanwhile, Imishikashika operators see this as a chance to expand their services. John Zimunya, an imishikashika operator, had this to say,
“We are ready to provide safe and reliable transportation to passengers traveling to areas beyond the 60km limit. This is a big opportunity for us.”
Passengers like Sarah, a teacher who travels 80km to work stated that does not have a choice but to use imishikashika services. She said:
“I have no choice but to use imishikashika to get to my workplace. But how do they expect us to get to distant places?”
Gogo Silibaziso Moyo, a concerned citizen, raised safety concerns:
“These days, there are many accidents, and I worry about my safety when traveling long distances. Passenger safety should be the top priority.”
Commuter omnibus operators like James Mloyi are already feeling the pinch, urging the government to reconsider the distance limit or provide alternative solutions.
“This regulation will severely impact our business,” Mloyi said. “We urge the government to reconsider the distance limit or provide alternative solutions for our operations.”
As the situation unfolds, the imishikashika sector is poised for growth in profits, but safety and regulation remain top concerns that need to be addressed.
In the meantime, the Minister said Route Permits issued before this pronouncement remain valid and shall continue until their validity has expired.
Is the amendment made by the government fair?
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