Analysis of the Public Transport Management Policies in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Public transport is an essential component of urban life in Zimbabwe, yet it is beset by operational inefficiencies, regulatory fragmentation and safety concerns. This paper examines the effectiveness of public transport management policies by analysing the roles, coordination and challenges of key regulatory bodies, including the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), 
Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development (MOT), Harare City Council (HCC), Vehicle Inspection Department (VID), Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSC) and the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA). A mixed-methods approach was adopted, utilising document analysis of statutes, semi-structured interviews with 20 key stakeholders and a quantitative survey of 120 transport operators and users in Harare and Bulawayo. The results reveal significant dissatisfaction among commuters regarding safety and service reliability, with 75% of surveyed passengers reporting safety concerns. Qualitative findings highlight major themes of fragmented coordination among regulatory bodies, severe resource constraints hindering enforcement and the necessary but unregulated role of informal operators (Mawere, 2017). The study concludes that while a robust legislative framework exists, its implementation is undermined by a lack of inter-agency collaboration, inadequate funding and decaying infrastructure (Moyo, 2018). The paper recommends the establishment of a national task force to harmonise policies, increased budgetary allocations for enforcement, strategic investment in transport infrastructure and the development of an integrated policy that formalises and regulates informal operators.