The persistent long queues experienced at major bus stations during peak evening hours have largely been attributed to worsening traffic congestion across key exit routes in Zambia’s capital city, Lusaka.
Speaking in an interview with Zambian Business Times -ZBT the Bus and Taxis Owners Association of Zambia (BTOAZ) Deputy National Secretary General Peter Phiri noted that the situation is not necessarily driven by a shortage of buses, but rather the severe gridlock that makes it difficult for public service vehicles to complete trips and return to stations on time.
Phiri cited the Great North Road corridor as one of the worst affected routes, stretching from Kabwe roundabout through SOS and Kabanana, where traffic jams are described as “horrible,” particularly around SOS roundabout and Madevu Junction.
He explained that under normal conditions, a round trip that should take about 30 minutes now takes several hours during peak periods, severely limiting bus turnaround times.
“The traffic situation is heavily affecting operations. In most cases, buses cannot return to town quickly enough to continue loading passengers, which creates unnecessary long queues at stations,” Phiri said.
He added that similar challenges are experienced along Mumbwa Road, where movement from Lumumba Bus Station towards Garden House during peak hours can take over four hours, compared to the normal short travel time.
Phiri further pointed to Great East Road, particularly the Munali to Hybrid area, as another congestion hotspot where buses often spend extended hours on the road, making return trips practically impossible within reasonable time.
The same trend is visible in both morning and evening peak hours, as congestion builds towards and away from the central business district, worsening passenger backlogs at bus stations.
He argued that addressing bottlenecks through road expansion and improved traffic management could significantly ease the situation, adding that many buses are often parked during peak hours due to the high fuel costs associated with being stuck in traffic.
Beyond congestion, Phiri also highlighted rising operational costs as a major challenge affecting the sector. He noted that the cost of vehicle maintenance, including engines, tyres, and spare parts, has significantly increased, making it difficult for operators to replace or repair faulty buses.
He added that the increased presumptive tax obligations imposed by the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) as a contributing factor, saying many operators have fallen into debt traps, forcing some to park their buses due to outstanding tax liabilities.
Meanwhile, Online Taxi Association of Zambia President Lucas Chanda echoed similar sentiments, stating that the long queues are largely a result of traffic congestion rather than a shortage of buses or taxis.
“It is not that we don’t have enough buses. The problem is congestion on the roads. During peak hours, buses struggle to reach stations due to heavy traffic, and passengers end up waiting for long periods,” Chanda said.
He added that in such situations, even taxi operators are affected as passengers increasingly rely on alternative transport options or double their commuting costs due to delays.
Chanda emphasized the need for improved traffic flow management to ease pressure on both commuters and transport operators.
