Maputo, 18 Dec (AIM) – Buses of CityLink, which is part of the transport company Ideal Lda., are back on the Mozambican roads after a week in which the company’s vehicles were suspended following a traffic accident in which seven people lost their lives in Manhica district, about 80 kilometres north of Maputo.
The spokesperson for the Transport Ministry, Luis Chauque, announced the lifting of the suspension at a Maputo press conference on Wednesday.
He said the suspension was lifted because of an increase in demand for long distance passenger transport during the festive season. “The decision was taken bearing in mind the interest of the people who are demanding, over the Xmas and New Year period, more means of transport so that they can travel between provinces, on holiday, or returning to their home areas.
Despite the suspension, CityLink has been fined over 40,000 meticais (about 625 US dollars, at the current exchange rate), and must also compensate the families of the victims.
Chauque also announced that the ban on long distance bus transport at night has been lifted. The ban, covering both buses and minibuses, covered the period from 21.00 to 05.00 the following morning. But now, during the festive season, the vehicles can travel at any time their owners choose.
Chauque said the government had taken this measure “to make the circulation of people and goods more efficient and secure, facilitating the flow of road traffic and avoiding congestion at the borders and the terminals”.
(AIM)
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