• Revamping UBZ has not been government’s policy direction.
• The private sector is already providing public transport services.
• Government needs to improve enforcement of regulations of public transport.
Ministry of Transport and Communications says it does not intend to revamp the United Bus Company of Zambia (UBZ), as suggested by some sections of the media.
Speaking in an interview with Money FM News, Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Engineer Misheck Lungu said revamping UBZ has not been government’s policy direction because the private sector is already providing public transport services.
Engineer Lungu stated that Government’s role is to support the private sector in improving the sector instead of getting in their space.
“Public Transport Sector is well represented and covered by the private sector who are into public transport business,” he said.
He observed that there is also need to improve enforcement of regulations of public transport for the smooth running of the sector.
Engineer Lungu said when Government sees a challenge with the private sector, that is when it can think of reviving UBZ but at the moment there is no plan to do that.
“Among the private sector operators, Zampost a Parastatal institution already provides similar services to that of UBZ that is why there is no need for Government to revamp it,” Engineer Lungu stated.
Engineer Lungu’s comment comes in the wake of media reports that Government intends to revamp United Bus Company of Zambia (UBZ).