LUSAKA City Council (LCC) has noted with concern the poor condition of some public buses operating in the city.

LCC Assistant Public Relations Manager Nyambe Bulumba says the council has also received numerous complaints from the members of the public regarding the poor maintenance of buses.

Mr Bulumba says neglecting vehicles, including those on inter-route buses by their owners, has created a conducive environment for the spread of bedbugs, posing a significant risk to public health.

He said this in a statement made available to ZANIS that the local authority will ensure all public transport vehicles operating within the city meet the required standards of cleanliness, safety and maintenance.

Mr Bulumba said that the council will henceforth be conducting regular inspections of buses to identify and address any deficiencies in order to protect members of the public against health risks.

He further urged bus owners that in order to promote public transport that is safe, clean and reliable, they should always provide solid waste receptacles, such as lined bins, to prevent passengers from throwing litter outside through the windows. 

Mr Bulumba warned all bus owners who fail to maintain their vehicles of facing penalties, including fines and the possible revocation of their operating licenses.

He said that to run the programme smoothly, the local authority will engage bus owners and operators to provide guidance and support on maintaining their vehicles and ensuring the comfort and safety of their passengers.

Mr Bulumba therefore appealed to members of the public to continue reporting any instances of poorly maintained buses to the Council’s Public Health Department, Public Relations or the relevant authorities to ensure the promotion of public transport that is safe, clean and reliable.