Transporters demand proper bus stations

SOME public transport

Formatted: Font: (Default) operators in Kitwe have called for establishment of proper road signs at drop off points.

According to the operators, drop off points should also have a special design and this must be done during construction of the roads.

The bus operators said that this was one of the ways the difference between them and traffic police officers could come to an end.

Bus operators complained that they fought running battles with the officers whenever they stopped to pick passengers at places that did not have signs despite being designated bus stops.

"In most cases, we are allowed to pick passengers at certain points by the local authority but police tell us a different story.

“This is the reason why we want the Ministry of Local Government and the Ministry of Communications and Transport to work hand in hand when planning on such matters," one of the drivers Michael Lubili said.

He added that the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure development should also be involved in planning for bus stations on roads and other points.

Mr Lubili said that proper direction from relevant authorities on the matter could not be overemphasized.

He said that the issue would continue being a problem if not corrected in time and called on Government to act quickly.

Another bus operator,

Amon Zulu, said that they had been making losses as their vehicles were mostly seized by police who only released them after paying a contravening fee.