PROPOSED REGULATION TO AUTHORISE USE OF AUTO-RICKSHAWS AS PUBLIC PASSENGER VEHICLES IN RURAL AREAS

Currently in Zambia, the public passenger transportation for both rural and urban areas is undertaken through buses and taxis. Statutory Instrument No 46 of 2020 prohibits the licensing/use of rick-shaws as passenger public service vehicles.

However, there is little presence of public service vehicles in rural areas as most operators prefer to operate from cities. This in turn leaves citizens in rural areas without access to affordable and comfortable transport.

The Road Transport and Safety Agency is proposing to introduce of regulation to authorize the use of auto-rickshaws as passenger public service vehicles in rural areas.

The proposed authorization/licensing of auto-rickshaws in rural areas is intended to alleviate the transport challenges faced by people in rural areas. This mode of transport will enable access to transport in Zambia’s rural areas.

The proposal is to introduce the use of auto-rickshaws in rural areas where there is generally in short supply of conventional transport means for passenger public transportation. Motorbikes are the predominant mode of transport in rural areas and are likely to continue.