Government finalises urban transport regulations

Vusumuzi Dube, Online News Editor

THE Government is finalising a Statutory Instrument aimed at regulating the operations of intra-city public transport operators where commuter omnibus associations will be expected to form themselves into companies that will enter into contractual agreements with the State and local authorities.

The move is set to bring a semblance of order, safety and sanity in towns and cities across the country and comes after the High Court recently ruled that the decision by the Government to ban public transporters in urban centres from operating outside the Zupco ambit at the height of Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 was unlawful and irregular.

In a statement, the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works has said the High Court judgement came at a time when President Mnangagwa had already made a proclamation de-regulating the public transport sector.

The Ministry said it stood guided by the announcement that was made by the President earlier and the latest High Court ruling.

“However, the Ministry would like to advise that private commuter omnibuses operators must ensure that their vehicles meet the required standards put in place by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development and local authorities to operate legally. Further, both the announcement by President Mnangagwa and the High Court ruling only apply to registered commuter omnibuses, hence operation of unregistered commuter omnibuses and illegal taxis (mushikashika) remains illegal and those defiant risk being arrested and prosecuted,” reads the statement.

The Ministry said it was working on regularising the sector which, among other provisions would see taxi associations being mandated to constitute themselves into legally registered companies.

“Going forward the Ministry is in the process of coming up with a Statutory Instrument that is meant to ensure that all registered commuter omnibuses across the country operate under an association and subsequently a company. This is to ensure sanity in the sector as the companies will be mandated to go into contracts with Government and local authorities to promote accountability and ensure the safety of passengers,” reads the statement.

Meanwhile, commuter omnibus operators in Bulawayo have said they are prepared to stand by any regulations set by the Government, saying their thrust was to ensure the public is transported to various destinations within the city. According to the Bulawayo City Council’s transport policy, associations recognised by BCC are the Bulawayo Urban Passenger Transport Association (Bupta), Tshova-Mubaiwa and City Transit.

Bupta spokesperson Mr Keeper Ndlovu said  they were excited to be back on the road and vowed that they will up their game to ensure that they provide quality services to their clients.

“We have always been ready to resume operations but now that we are back on the road, we have evidently upped our game, that is why when you go to the City Hall pick up point you will see our kombis in their numbers, clearly branded and all our marshals in uniform.

“What I must emphasize is that we have not stopped in our quest to providing top notch services to our clients, we are also in the process of reactivating some of our former members so that we ensure we cater for all our designated routes. We are closely monitoring our members to ensure that they adhere to all set regulations for the safety of passengers,” said Mr Ndlovu.

Chairman of the board of directors of Tshova-Mubaiwa Transport Co-operative Company, Mr Atlas Moyo also reiterated that theirs was all about serving the travelling public hence they would adhere to all regulations to ensure the safety of passengers.