The Mozambican Police Municipal has extended by seven days the deadline for semi-collective transport operators in Maputo to regularize their route signage. This decision aims to standardize signs and facilitate vehicle identification. According to regulations, signs must be 25 centimeters wide, display the license number, origin and destination points, and use specific colors for each route. The action follows a sensitization campaign targeting transporters.
The regularization process was initially set to start this week, but transporters requested an extension due to high costs and the short period granted for compliance. The Police Municipal agreed to the request, pushing the deadline to next Sunday. The move seeks to enhance vehicle identification and enable easier reporting of irregularities, such as route diversion and shortening.
The spokesperson for the Police Municipal, José Ganhane, confirmed that the Association of Transporters requested more time, which was approved by the corporation. Ganhane emphasized that the use of acrobatic letters and smaller sizes is prohibited. Transporters are required to display four signs on their vehicles, with each side costing 1,400 meticais to regularize.
Some transporters, like Virgílio Machiana, have not yet regularized their signs due to financial constraints and the short notice period. Machiana, operating on the Praça dos Combatentes-Albazine route, expressed concerns about the costs and the impact on his business. He noted that the low passenger flow makes it challenging to gather the necessary funds for regularization.
Despite the challenges, some vehicles in the Greater Maputo Metropolitan Region have already been observed with signs complying with the new regulations. Passengers like Tânia Licupe welcome the measure, citing improved visibility and ease of identification. Licupe, who suffers from myopia, shared her positive experience with the new signage, highlighting its benefits for passengers with visual impairments.
The Police Municipal's decision to extend the deadline aims to ensure that transporters comply with the regulations without undue hardship. The measure is part of a broader effort to improve the organization and safety of semi-collective transport services in Maputo. By standardizing route signage, authorities hope to reduce confusion and enhance the overall passenger experience.
As the new deadline approaches, transporters are urged to comply with the regulations to avoid potential penalties. The Police Municipal is expected to intensify inspections to ensure that all semi-collective transport vehicles adhere to the new signage standards. The success of this initiative will depend on the cooperation of transporters and the continued support of passengers in reporting irregularities.
Key points
- The Police Municipal extended the deadline for regularization by seven days in response to transporter requests.
- The new signage regulations aim to standardize signs and facilitate vehicle identification.
- Transporters must display four signs on their vehicles, with each side costing 1,400 meticais to regularize.
