5 Risk mitigation tips for commuter omnibus operators in Zimbabwe.

The commuter transporters in Zimbabwe are on their way towards extinction like the Dodo. Their customer care is equal to zero. Both prospective and paying passengers in many cases are victims of vulgar insults. But the transporters argue that its all about mitigating risk associated with business. I beg to differ because there is a demarcation line between calculated risk and recklessness. Here are five risk mitigation tips for commuter transporters to consider that can help them in serving better and more profitably.

Prevention is better than cure

The seed for most problems in a commuter transporter’s business life is sown before commencement of operations when he or she buys a used bus without first taking some precautionary considerations. You know prevention is better than cure and in risk management this is what they call the first line of defense.  Here are some of the things to be taken into account as the first line of defense.

1. Service considerations

Most buses purchased by commuter transport entrepreneurs are beyond warranty cover which means the owner will have to meet costs of things like spare parts. This also means in the commuter’s area of operation there should be mechanics who are able to fix the type of bus and that the desired spare parts must also be available with local suppliers.

2. History

A favorable mileage amounts to nothing if the bus has a rough history. If it was involved in an accident you should get its repair documentation and thoroughly go through them because you should ascertain whether or not serious problems are hidden in gloss and paint.

3. Intended use

A wise transport investor buys a vehicle in accordance with the intended use also. If the bus will be involved in not only the transportation of passengers but also heavy luggage it should be equipped with relevant fitments and a strong chassis.  If these are not available the transporter should know that these are extra costs he or she will have to meet.

Some things to avoid when operating the bus.

1. Numerous bus stops

Not having designated drop off and pick up points is not only illegal but a disadvantage to commuter business. Engines use most fuel during initial acceleration so if a trip has numerous stops then inevitably there will be consumption of more fuel and increased costs of running the business.

2. Aggressive driving

Commuter bus drivers in Zimbabwe love aggressive driving. Aggressive driving is when a driver accelerate hard and brake late. This increases fuel consumption because it floods the engine with extra fuel and also leads to the loss of valuable life.