What You Need to Know
The Junta Terminal in Maputo has experienced a significant rise in interprovincial transport demand, with bus departures increasing sixfold during the festive season. AMOTRANS President Paulo Mutisse noted that daily departures have surged to around 60, particularly for routes to Inhambane Province. The government has suspended bus circulation restrictions to enhance transport availability and is,
Africa-Press – Mozambique. The Interprovincial Terminal at Junta, in Maputo—the nation’s capital—has seen a significant increase in activity in recent days, driven by heightened demand for interprovincial road transport during the festive season.
Paulo Mutisse, President of the Mozambican Association of Interprovincial and International Transport (AMOTRANS), stated that the number of buses departing from Junta to various provinces has increased sixfold in recent days.
“We now average about 60 vehicles departing daily, compared to around 10 on regular days. Year after year, the highest demand is for destinations in the southern region, particularly Inhambane Province,” Mutisse explained, emphasizing that the transport sector is working to meet this surge in demand.
The spike in demand has occasionally led to concerns about price speculation. However, when questioned on the matter, Mutisse denied any official price hikes. He clarified: “What’s happening is that those traveling during this period are usually regular passengers. For instance, if you come here to go to Massinga, you pay 1,000 Meticais—but you might think it’s speculation because, during low-demand periods, carriers sometimes agree to lower fares.”
To help ease congestion and boost transport availability, Mutisse welcomed the government’s recent decision—announced weeks ago—to suspend, until January 15, 2026, the restriction that previously prohibited bus circulation between 5:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.
“This measure has helped us a great deal,” Mutisse said during a visit by the Minister of Transport and Logistics, João Matlombe, to the terminal earlier this week. “There’s now greater mobility, so buses aren’t piling up excessively at Junta Terminal.”
For his part, Minister Matlombe expressed satisfaction with the current supply levels, noting that sufficient availability is helping stabilize fares. “We will continue monitoring departures closely to ensure all drivers are properly licensed and that vehicles comply with passenger capacity limits,” he said.
The minister also urged inspection teams—both inside and outside the terminal—to intensify monitoring of transport operators along National Road No. 1 to reduce traffic accidents.
“Our goal is to help ensure people can celebrate the holidays safely with their families,” Matlombe concluded.
The Junta Terminal has long been a critical hub for interprovincial transport in Mozambique, facilitating travel between the capital and various provinces. During the festive season, demand typically spikes as families travel to celebrate together, prompting transport operators to adjust their services accordingly. The government’s involvement in regulating transport services aims to ensure safety and affordability for travelers during this busy period.
Historically, the transport sector in Mozambique has faced challenges, including congestion and fare speculation. The recent decision to suspend restrictions on bus circulation during peak hours reflects an effort to improve service delivery
