There is no doubt that the impending ban by the Government on the use of Toyota Hiace minibuses to transport passengers has  not been received well by some sections of society, especially the bus operators who will bear the brunt of this decision once it is effected.
Recently, Transport and Communications  Minister Brian Mushiba was quoted in some sections of the media as having said that Toyota Hiace commuter minibuses will not be allowed to operate after  January 1, 2018 because they do not provide necessary passenger safety.
The minister advised bus operators to instead purchase standard Rosa size commuter buses.
Among some of the reasons advanced by those against the move by Government is that many people who are employed as drivers will be robbed of their source of livelihood once this move is effected.
While we commiserate with bus operators and the drivers who will be affected, we still feel that Government’s decision is well intended and will help save lives and bring sanity on our roads.
We say so because it cannot be disputed that most accidents that occur within our towns and on inter city highways, that have claimed too many lives and left some people maimed for life involve Toyota Hiace minibuses.
One of the major reasons why this is so, is that the Toyata Hiace is not suitable for carrying commuters because it was not built for that purpose.
In  their country of origin, Japan, these vehicles are not used to carry people but they are used to ferry light cargo no wonder they have no seats inside when they are imported into the country.
When these buses come to Zambia the bus operators fabricate seats which are not even fitted with seat belts and start transporting people.
What is even worse is that in an effort to maximise on profits, some unscrupulous bus operators instead of fitting 14 seats as required by the law,  put more and in some cases you have a small bus carrying as many as 18 passengers which puts the lives of innocent people at risk in case of an accident.
Because of the Toyota Hiace’s small size, some drivers perform daredevil maneuvers on busy roads thereby putting the lives of other motorists and commuters in danger.
While, we welcome the decision by the Government to phase out Toyota Hiace minibuses, we wish to echo the call by the Zambia Bus and Taxi Drivers Union (ZABUTU) Copperbelt coordinator Poster Jumbe who is urging the authorities to give bus operators ample time before phasing out the buses.
We  believe  such a move will give operators enough time to prepare themselves.