by Patrick Mawaya, Malawi, June 1997
THEME = TRANSPORT
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.
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.
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.
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".
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