Investing in reliable, safe public road transport

Contrary to what many believe, Malawi lacks an efficient, safe and comfortable transport system. Public transport is characterised by overloading of travellers, overcharging, dilapidated buses and minibuses.

For those who live along or close to the main road (M1), public transport may not be a problem. But those who live inland, transport is a nightmare. Travellers are loaded in dilapidated pick-ups and trucks like firewood. As if this is not enough, there is loss of human dignity and the trucks only leave when available space is occupied!

The few private buses that operate between cities or regions usually have no fixed departure time and are invariably overloaded. Transport operators put business interest above the safety and comfort of travellers. It is unbelievable that a long distance bus (i.e. travelling between regions or cities) is so overloaded that some passengers stand. What is more baffling is the inept police officers manning road blocks letting these callous transport operators get away with overloading which pose a danger to the travellers. Many times drivers are reckless and disobey traffic rules.

Malawi is the only Southern African Development Community (Sadc) country where bus operators overload passengers for long distances. In countries where governments care and want passengers to travel in safety and comfort, operators cannot get away with this ‘criminal’ behaviour because traffic officers are strict.

Government has lagged behind and miserably failed to end transport problems. Fifty years down the line, public transport is still appalling. During Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda’s days, government used to own United Transport Company (UTM) Limited with routes everywhere. However, the UDF government messed up the company which was later liquidated with bad advice from foreign organisations. Government under late Bingu wa Mutharika entered into a partnership with National Bus Company in which it assumed a minority shareholder. But the services are poor and limited.

It is high time government took a leaf from the South African and Zimbabwean governments, which operate their own bus companies to complement the private sector. For example, the South African government owns Translux and City to City buses (http://www.prasa.com/Bus.aspx ).The Zimbabwean government owns the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (Zupco) (http://www.zupco.co.zw/ ). Both Translux and Zupco extend their services to other Sadc countries such as Malawi, Zambia and Botswana. Is our government saying it is too incompetent to run a bus company?

Government should rise to the occasion and start investing in public transport that is safe, reliable and comfortable. They should form a bus company that focuses on public transport at three levels. Firstly, there is need for rural passenger service. Some buses should operate within the district to serve the rural folk with a possibility of inter-district service.

Secondly, there is need for urban bus passenger service which should be delegated to city councils and can operate during morning, afternoon and evening peak hours at affordable fares. It is sad that urban passengers are left at the mercy of uncouth mini bus operators who charge any fare, overload and make them travel uncomfortably because the space between seats is too narrow. Thirdly, we need regional passenger service for long distance buses to operate between regions or cities. Law enforcers should protect travellers by ensuring that no one stands on long or inter-district buses. It is normal and acceptable for local or intra-city city buses because it is a short distance.

The reorganisation of the public transport system should be accompanied by regular maintenance of urban and rural roads; and the construction of modern bus terminus in all cities and major towns. They should be safe and free from call boys and thugs who have taken over the untidy Wenela, Lilongwe and Mzuzu bus stations, even in the presence of police. They harass and are a nuisance to travellers. Where is the leadership? Who is in charge of these bus stations? Eeeish!

It is unacceptable that 50 years of independence Malawi has retrogressed in many sectors such as transport. It paints a picture of a country that lacks quality leaders. One quality of a good government is to ensure that people are provided with basic services which include a reliable, safe and comfortable public road transport.