Kombi drivers have responded after Transport Minister Felix Mhona banned operators from plying beyond the 60 KM radius.
The government clamped down on kombi operations this week, slashing their route permits from a 120km radius to just 60km. Authorities have also ordered kombis to have speed limiters and monitoring gadgets.
Transport Minister Felix Mhona said the ban aims to cut the worrying scourge of road accidents:
“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.”
Kombi Drivers Respond To The Government’s 60 KM Route Radius Ban
The ban has been met with reservations from various quarters. However, Kombi drivers are resolute about continuing to ferry passengers. They are finding ways to get around the new restrictions so they can feed their families.
One driver fastened a red cloth on his van so it appeared to be carrying mourners, yet he was touting for passengers along Mazowe Road on his way to Mt Darwin.
H-Metro spoke to another driver:
“We agree on speed limits as a way of reducing accidents, but the route limits have nothing to do with accidents. A number of long-distance buses have been involved in road traffic accidents besides Kombis. To us, this move is a big threat to our source of living.”
The Most Recent Clampdown On Private Transport Operators
During the national lockdown starting in March 2020, the government banned private kombis to help curb the spread of COVID-19. This ban created a significant gap in the public transport sector.
Only the state-owned Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO) buses would carry passengers. This move aimed to enforce safety protocols such as social distancing, mandatory mask-wearing, and regular vehicle disinfection.
To deal with the ensuing public transport nightmare, the government opened the leeway for private operators to register under the ZUPCO franchise. On 21 December 2022, the Ministry of Transport lifted the kombi ban.
