Zimbabwe is set to introduce dedicated bus-only lanes on Seke Road, one of the busiest and most perilous highways in the country. The move follows a wave of deadly traffic accidents that have left dozens dead and many more injured in recent weeks.
Government Responds After Deadly Accidents
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona confirmed that plans are now in motion to widen Seke Road and establish dedicated bus-only lanes aimed at easing congestion and improving road safety. Speaking to The Herald on 1 August 2025, Mhona said:
“What we are doing, we are going to be having a dedicated bus lane and my team is now seized with that.
We are going to be widening the road again, having more lanes that will be an expressway right up to Makoni Section and straight up to Ten Miles.”
The announcement comes in the wake of a series of high-profile crashes.
On 19 July 2025, a tragic collision at Hunyani Bridge claimed 17 lives when a commuter omnibus collided with a 30-tonne haulage truck.
Just days later, on 28 July, another accident occurred near Chinhamo Service Station when a kombi travelling from Ziko to Harare burst a front tyre and veered off the road. Over 20 passengers were injured, seven seriously, and were rushed to Chitungwiza Central Hospital.
The mounting number of crashes has led to growing public pressure on the government to act.
“We are not only trying to decongest the road but also reduce the frequency of these avoidable accidents,” said an official from the Ministry of Transport who declined to be named.
How Bus-Only Lanes Will Operate
Dedicated bus lanes, often marked clearly on the road or coloured red, are designed to give priority to buses by keeping them separate from private vehicles.
They can be located:
- Along the kerbside of the road,
- Down the centre of the road as centre-running lanes, or
- As bypasses around major bottlenecks.
In some cases, the lanes are physically separated from the rest of the road using bollards or kerbs. This is done to reduce illegal intrusion by private vehicles and to prevent illegal parking—issues common on Harare’s main roads.
Zimbabwe’s version will likely follow best practices from other cities. For example, in Brisbane, enhanced enforcement on bus lanes led to:
- A 12% increase in passenger throughput, and
- Up to 19% faster journey times for buses.
Will The Project Work?
The answer may depend on how strictly the lanes are policed.
Experts warn that weak enforcement leads to failure. In cities like San Francisco and New York, camera enforcement—mounted on buses or street poles—has significantly reduced lane violations.
While Minister Mhona did not give a start date for the Seke Road upgrade or provide a budget figure, the government appears committed to launching the project as a matter of urgency.
“It’s not just about adding lanes. It’s about designing for safety and prioritising public transport,” said Mhona.
Seke Road is a critical route connecting Harare’s Central Business District to Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe’s largest dormitory town. The stretch sees thousands of daily commuters using minibuses (kombis), making delays and accidents a near-daily occurrence.
With express bus lanes running from Harare CBD to Ten Miles, commuters could enjoy quicker, safer, and more reliable travel.
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The post Zimbabwe To Introduce Dedicated Bus Only Lanes For Seke Road: Here Is How They Work appeared first on iHarare News.
