EDITOR — I rally behind the government’s proposal to buy buses in order to replace commuter omnibuses currently plying the nation’s roads as public passenger vehicles.
Although it sounds a good idea, our current economic situation will not allow that to happen anytime soon.
Meanwhile, lives will continue to be lost because most of these commuter omnibuses are unroadworthy and the drivers are reckless.
Many families have already lost relatives and friends because of this, and I think it’s high time the problem is taken seriously before more lives are lost.
There is competition among the operators hence all the action-movie manoeuvres that are happening endangering our lives.
The number of commuter omnibuses in the city of Harare, I am sure, has exceeded the maximum required and with many still being imported the situation is worsening.
It is for these reasons that I strongly suggest the responsible authority looks into the issue and try to adopt a temporary and workable solution to this matter before they buy the buses.
I propose that a commission or agency be set up specifically for the management of these commuter omnibuses.
These vehicles should be vetted by the VID first and acquire their certificates of fitness as well as route authority.
After this, applications should be sent to this agency as well as the drivers’ licences and defensive driving certificates for vetting and approval.
Each route should have a specific number of omnibuses, and any other omnibuses plying the same route are to be considered as pirate operators and arrested.
The approved vehicles should be painted the same colour and designs for purposes of uniformity and this will also go a long way in improving the image of our city and nation at large.
It would also help to find out which models are best suited for the job as I am informed that some of the models in use were not originally designed as passenger carriers.
I am not suggesting that the State should nationalise these vehicles, operators will still own their vehicles and they will still own the income. My suggestions will just make the system more efficient and safer.
Cuthbert T Musarurwa (Jnr)