By Michael Gwarisa
Commuter Omnibuses or Kombis will no longer be allowed to ferry passengers beyond 60 Kilometres as part of efforts to reduce the growing scourge and burden of road traffic accidents.
Under the new radius-based restrictions being implemented by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development, Kombis’ travel distance has been reduced from 120 km to 60 km.
In a statement, the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Honorable Felix Mhona, said the new restrictions were effective immediately.
As the Ministry endeavors 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,” said Honorable Mhona.
He said this 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. These buses are more predictable, reliable, comfortable and more consistent than the quality of service offered by kombis on long-distance routes.”
He said buses also have greater leg space and baggage space for long-distance travellers than kombis, which makes buses more ideal for long-distance journeys.
“Further, the kombis operating within the 60 km radius are prohibited from operating without 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 of the devices are fitted to the vehicle,” said Honorable Mhona.
He also called on all inspection officers to 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.
“All law enforcement officers should ensure that all kombis are in compliance as prescribed by the law.”
Meanwhile, he said the Ministry has also noted with concern that the Kombis and unauthorized vehicles (mushika-shika) are picking up and dropping passengers on non-designated points, thereby causing damage to the shoulders of the roads, most of which we have recently refurbished, with clearly designated picking and dropping points.
“The Ministry calls upon all enforcement officers to be diligent and ensure that all kombis and authorized public service vehicles pick from and drop passengers on designated bus stops.”
Meanwhile, kombi operators will soon be issued with Route Permits to offer passenger transport services for a maximum distance of 60 km. The minster however said the Route Permits issued before this Statement will remain valid and shall continue to be legal documents until their validity has expired. However, with immediate effect, the Ministry will not tolerate any kombi which operates without the speed limiting and monitoring devices.
