The government has banned commuter operators (kombis) from operating beyond the 60 km radius starting this week.
The Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Felix Mhona, announced this in a statement as Zimbabwe attempts to tame the road accident scourge. The new ban is effective 3 September 2024.
Government Bans Kombis From Operating Beyond 60 Km Radius
Minister Mhona said they are reviewing the radius-based restrictions for kombis from 120 km to 60 km:
“As the Ministry endeavours to mitigate against road traffic crashes involving kombis, a policy position has been taken to review the current radius-based restrictions for kombis on the issuance of route permits from 120 km to 60 km with effect from the 3rd of September 2024 for operators seeking new permits.
The minister added that the new policy is part of the broad measures the government is taking to ensure safer roads in the country.
The Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) statistics show that one person dies every 15 minutes and 150 perish every month due to road accidents.
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He also implored members of the public travelling beyond 60 km to use bigger buses:
“Thus, this 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. 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 better leg space and baggage space for long-distance travellers than kombis, which makes buses more ideal for long-distance journeys.”
Transitioning From Old To New Route Permit Restrictions
Minister Mhona also clarified that kombis holding the current 120 km Route Permits will continue plying the routes until they expire:
“Kombi operators will be issued with Route Permits to offer passenger transport services for a maximum distance of 60 km. The Route Permits issued before this Statement will remain valid and shall continue to be legal documents until the validity has expired.”
As the law prescribes, all kombis must now operate with speed-limiting and monitoring devices. Minister Mhona alerted all inspection officers to enforce this. He said the officers must not issue a certificate of fitness unless a kombi has these devices.
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