The transport system in Greater Maputo, particularly the “chapa”, has become chaotic and unsafe for commuters following recent demonstrations. Issues include route diversions, fare hikes, and attacks on transport officials, leading to increased waiting times and harmful overcrowding. The necessary police oversight is largely absent, resulting in an uncontrolled environment for passengers.
In the metropolitan region of Greater Maputo, utilizing the semi-public passenger transport known as “chapa” has become increasingly arduous for numerous citizens reliant on this mode for daily commutes. The situation has deteriorated, particularly following recent post-election demonstrations, leading to a pervasive sense of anarchy at various terminals and stops.
Several concerning practices have emerged and gained acceptance, including the diversion and shortening of routes, arbitrary passenger selection, informal “interviews,” and fare speculation. Additionally, there is a noticeable lack of respect towards police authorities, traffic regulations, and fellow commuters, exacerbating the plight of users.
As a direct consequence, passengers experience longer waiting times at bus stops, and once the transport arrives, they are often left competing for seats, struggling to find even standing space, as vehicles are overcrowded and lacking in safety measures. Furthermore, users are often compelled to pay double the fare while being dropped off at distant locations from their intended stops, as operators exercise arbitrary control over these decisions.
The complexities of this issue have intensified due to acts of vandalism resulting in the destruction of more than 30 public and privately operated buses during the demonstrations, which had previously served to mitigate extensive queues and congestion at terminals. The associated violence has also led to direct attacks on the Municipal Police and transport associations responsible for overseeing operations at bus terminals, contributing to a culture of impunity among operators.
Consequently, during peak hours, public transport terminals have transformed into chaotic environments where comfort is a privilege out of reach for many commuters. A recent visit by “Notícias” to various bus terminals highlighted the overwhelming sense of chaos prevalent among the passengers and the dire implications of inadequate police action, as both Traffic and Municipal Police display apprehension towards potential violence.
The ongoing issues associated with the “chapa” transport system in Greater Maputo reveal significant challenges for commuters, who face prolonged waiting times, fare speculation, and safety concerns. The aftermath of recent demonstrations has compounded these problems, highlighting a vacuum of authority at terminals and an urgent need for effective intervention to restore order and accountability in public transportation. Unless substantial measures are enacted, the suffering of users will continue unabated, exacerbating daily hardships.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
