The Government has lifted the suspension on three public transport operators’ licences, Blue Circle, City Bus and Simlex Coaches, following a review of their operations.
Blue Circle and City Bus were suspended from operating in March this year after a horror crash involving coaches from the two companies claimed 13 lives and left scores injured along the Masvingo-Beitbridge Road.
The collision occurred when a City Bus coach, carrying 25 passengers, struck a donkey and veered into the path of a Blue Circle bus with 43 passengers on board, leading to a head-on collision.
Simlex was also ordered to suspend operations in March after one of the company’s coaches was involved in an accident on 9 March, in Western Cape, South Africa, which resulted in the death of 13 Zimbabweans and injuries to 12 others.
The bus was travelling from Harare to Cape Town when it collided with a haulage truck along the Hex River Pass, approximately 140 kilometres before Cape Town.
Addressing journalists in Harare, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona said that the three companies had multiple breaches of license terms and conditions. He said:
Swaymo Enterprises Pvt Ltd runs Blue Circle while City Bus is operated by Wipeco Investments Pvt Ltd.
<blockquote>
The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development wishes to advise members of the public that it has lifted the suspension of the licences for operation of all omnibuses belonging to Swaymo Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd; Wipeco Investments (Pvt) Ltd and Simlex Coaches (Pvt) Ltd with effect from 3 June, 2024.
The said operators breached the terms and conditions of the licenses issued to them, leading to fatal road crashes that occurred on 9 and 16 March 2024 in Western Cape, South Africa, and in Beitbridge respectively.
They operated public service vehicles without valid motor and passenger insurance, certificates of roadworthiness, road service permits, installed speed monitoring and limiting devices, and employed drivers without the requisite competencies.
</blockquote>
According to a statement posted on the Ministry’s X page, all transport operators will be placed under heightened “Compliance monitoring”, using ICT tools to track compliance each time they pass through toll checkpoints. Said Mhona:
<blockquote>
Going forward bus operators will be placed on a Compliance Monitoring Programme to continually assess adherence to regulatory requirements and further reiterated that the Ministry will make use of ICT tools to monitor compliance of all transport operators to ensure regulatory violations are recorded in real-time as vehicles pass through tolling points.
Hon Mhona further condemned the recent acts of public violence at bus loading bays and ranks in Mutare saying such actions severely impact on safety and security of commuters, bus crews and members of the public, especially children, women and people with disabilities.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Govt Lifts Suspension On Three Bus Operators Two Months After Fatal Crashes

The Passenger Association of Zimbabwe (PAZ) has urged the Government to protect travellers during holidays by enforcing regulated fare scales amid reports that some long-distance bus operators have doubled fares.
Zimbabwean public transporters are wont to hiking fares during the festive period thereby forcing people travelling to various destinations across the country, especially rural areas, to pay through the nose.
Reports suggest that there has been congestion at Mbare Bus Terminus in Harare since the 22nd of December as travellers seek transport to rural areas.
Investigations by <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200021391/transport-operators-fleece-travelling-public">NewsDay</a> established that both long-distance buses and local commuter omnibuses have hiked fares with a Harare-Mutare trip which usually costs US$10 now at US$20.
Those travelling from Harare to Bulawayo were also affected, with their bus fares having been increased from US$15 to between US$20 and US$30.
The trend was also observed for major routes across the country as bus operators took advantage of an increase in the number of travellers.
A bus driver plying the Harare-Masvingo route Clifford Dhlakama defended the fare hikes. He told NewsDay:
<blockquote>
Fuel prices have gone up again. We need to cover our costs; especially with the extra trips we’re running to meet the holiday demand.
Maintenance costs are also high. Spare parts are expensive, and with more passengers crammed, the wear and tear is even worse.
</blockquote>
However, PAZ president Tafadzwa Goliati said transport operators were taking advantage of desperate passengers who want to unite with families during holidays. Said Goliati:
<blockquote>
These claims of increased costs are often exaggerated. Operators take advantage of the festive season rush to maximise profits at the expense of ordinary Zimbabweans who just want to be with their families.
Commuters are not ATMs [Automated Teller Machines]. They shouldn’t be penalised for wanting to travel during the holidays.
</blockquote>
Bus fare hikes during holidays in Zimbabwe, especially Christmas and New Year, are almost inevitable and expected.
This, however, does not necessarily result in reduced travel but makes it difficult for people to pay for recurring expenses in the new year as a huge chunk of their earnings is gobbled up by transport costs.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Passengers' Association Makes Plea For Price Controls As Buses Hike Fares For Christmas Travel

Public transport players say they are committed to going beyond merely being transporters to improving the sector with modern and customer-friendly buses.
Zimbabwe Passenger Transport Organisation (ZPTO) chairperson Sam Nhanganga said they seek to ensure that passengers are safe and are treated with dignity.
Nhanganga made the remarks while addressing delegates during a passenger safety and rights campaign in Harare on Tuesday. He said:
<blockquote>
Zimbabwe transport operators have revised the need to go beyond the elementary nature of our core business, which is being transporters of commuters from one destination to another.
We have seen the need to invest in our customers’ key expectations and strive to go beyond them, in a modern world where transport service is in essence comfort, amenities and hospitality, of course not forgetting passengers’ safety and the need to treat passengers with respect while ensuring that their rights as consumers of our services and their dignity are upheld.
Thus, we have imported and continue to import the best buses suitable for our roads and climate.
They have the amenities and comfort for your travel whether on the highways or short local distances. These buses have passenger liability coverage.
What this means is that there is an assurance of full compensation in the event of death or injury to the passenger.
</blockquote>
Nhanganga implored commuters to desist from using private cars and pirate taxis as they risk falling prey to robbers.
Zimbabwe has been experiencing a transport crisis since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic after the government monopolised transport through State-owned ZUPCO which, however, failed to cope with demand. | <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200000560/bus-operators-pledge-to-end-crisis">NewsDay</a>

Bus Accident Latest News

Latest Jobs