Commuter omnibuses, popularly known as kombis, with 26-seater capacity and below will no longer be allowed to operate beyond a radius of 60 kilometres, the government has announced.
In a move aimed at curbing rampant road traffic crashes involving smaller private transport vehicles, the Ministry of Transport declared a downward radius review from 120 kilometres on Tuesday.
“We urge all commuters traveling beyond 60km to use transport services offered by high- capacity buses,” Transport and Infrastructural Development minister Felix Mhona said.
“The buses are more predictable, reliable, comfortable and more consistent than the quality service offered by kombis on long distance routes.”
The development comes at a time where there has been a series of devastating road crashes across the country involving kombis and unauthorized vehicles (Mushika-shika), which has sparked widespread concern among the public and authorities.
In addition, kombis are prohibited from operating within the 60km radius unless equipped with installed speed limiting and monitoring devices.
“All inspection officers should 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,” Mhona said.
“The Ministry will not tolerate any kombi which operates without the speed limiting and monitoring devices.”
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The transport department has also expressed a concern regarding kombis and unauthorized vehicles (mushika-shika) picking up and dropping off passengers at undesignated points resulting in damage to road shoulders, despite recent refurbishments that designated specific drop off and pick up points.
“The ministry calls upon all enforcement officers to be diligent and ensure that all kombis and unauthorized public service vehicles park from and drop passengers on designated bus stops,” said Mhona in a statement.
