The Zambia Consumer Association (ZACA) has commended government for revoking the exorbitant fees imposed by the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) on consumers.
ZACA Executive Secretary, Muyunda Illilonga disclosed in a press statement to ZANIS today that the move shows that government was responsive to concerns of the people.
He said the association called upon the Minister of Communication and Transport to consider formulating a new policy that would make provision of metropolitan transport a responsibility of government.
He said the policy should be either through a state company or through a municipal service.
Mr Illilonga said the association views the provision of transport as a basic service too sensitive to be surrendered to private operators only.
He added that there must be state participation as as the case is in developed countries.
Mr Illilonga also noted that ZACA was not happy that the state has continued to allow small buses to operate on the roads.
The association has described these buses as death traps and that they lacked comfort and safety.
Mr Illilonga called on RSTA to phase out small buses so that bigger and comfortable buses could be introduced on our roads.
The idea of providing metropolitan public transport either through a state company or through a municipal service is a welcome idea. I view public transport system is an important factor for increased productivity in the country. As explained by Mr. Illilonga, we need the phasing out of the small buses and in their place big buses. This transport system should be able to operate and regulated by time rather than having to have a bus waiting to get full before it can take off. In Zambia, a lot of manhours are lost as a result of disorganised transport system. If well implemented, this proposed system could be more efficient and effective.
#1, point well made. If only politicians can listen to good advice like this…well, they do listen, but they need the cadres from the current transport system for political muscle. It’ll take a decisive presdo to handle the transport blues in our Zambia…would that be LPM?
the hassle free and easy physical movement of people,goods and services is a catalyst for commerce and is justification enough for state or/and municipal participation.this reason alone justifies state subsidy as well.UNIP and KK had this all figured out until the wholesale privatisation epidemic befell us !!