ANB-BIA SUPPLEMENT

ISSUE/EDITION Nr 329 - 01/09/1997

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Malawi

Public Transport

by Patrick Mawaya, Malawi, June 1997

THEME = TRANSPORT

INTRODUCTION

Until the late 1980s, Malawi was clean as regards traffic congestion.
Mini bus owners took advantage of this situation,
and now things have changed

The major cities of Malawi, particularly Blantyre, Lilongwe, Mzuzu and Zomba are full of mini buses. These mini buses have led to heavy traffic congestion in the urban areas. People are even seen leaving the buses before the bus stop, so as to avoid delay. City councils have been blamed for poor planning which has caused the traffic congestion. But others have said the increasing urbanisation and the increasing number of mini bus operators, are the major causes of traffic congestion.

Copycat

Malawians are adept at copying businesses. When mini buses were first introduced, there were few mini bus owners. With the passage of time, many people became mini bus owners. The present situation is, that there are too many mini buses chasing too few customers. The supply of mini buses exceeds passenger- demand.

The result is, competition has become stiff among mini bus operators. Drivers have lost every sense of traffic regulations in their efforts to pick up a passenger at the next bus stop. Speed limit regulations no longer apply. Overtaking takes place even at corners. All this is done in order to make more money, despite the stiff competition, experienced in the mini bus business.

In the past, passengers had to struggle to board a mini bus. Today, they choose the mini bus they want to board. Because of this, mini buses have embarked on intensive advertising campaigns. Small boys known locally as "Anyamata oyitanira", are paid $0.33 when the mini bus is full.

Lilongwe is Malawi's capital. Despite having a mini bus parking lot, many mini buses park alongside the main highway, with the help of the shouting small boys. The drivers of these mini buses stop at any place to pick up a passenger, until the mini bus is full. Traffic is stopped, of course! But who cares?

This "copycat syndrome" among Malawians is slowly killing the mini bus business. They no longer make enough profit. Mini bus owners have to wait even up to two hours before they have enough passengers to leave.

A Haven for Accidents

Those using Malawi's roads, are likely candidates for an accident! Speed and the poor road network are dangers in themselves. Already many Malawians have been victims of road accidents, caused by mini buses. The actual buses, are nothing to write home about. In the past, most of the mini buses used to come from Japan and South Africa, and were fully equipped to serve as passenger vehicles.

But the current crop of mini buses from Dubai are mini bus in name, and not a reality. No windows, no comfort, no proper entry. In Dubai, most of these mini buses would be used for carrying goods. They are converted into passenger vehicles when they reach Malawi. Seats have to be installed, and are ranged close together so as to cram in as many passengers as possible.

Government's efforts

The government has recently issued a Public Notice tightening road traffic regulations. One of this is the ban on the use of vans as public service vehicles, in accordance with the Road Traffic Act, Cap. 69-01.

The Public Notice published on 25 April 1997, further states: "With immediate effect, vehicles without proper windows for ventilation; with entry or exit doors on the near-side only; and inadequate fitted passenger seats, shall not be allowed to operate as public service vehicles". Also: "Registration as Mini Buses in the case of vehicles imported as vans, will only be done when the vehicles have been properly modified for carrying passengers".

And tomorrow?

The fact is - there is order when the police are around. When they are not - nobody cares. According to certain analysts, it is difficult to control the whole situation. Fears of corruption cannot be ruled out, as vehicles generally not fit to be on the road are certified as "fit for the road".

How will the Road Traffic Commission deal with this delicate situation? Just wait and see, for it is one thing to lay down rules, and another to keep them.

END

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PeaceLink 1997 - Reproduction authorised, with usual acknowledgement