Abstract

This study examines the impact of regulatory policies on land transport operations in Bamenda, Cameroon, focusing on safety regulations, operational standards, and environmental regulations. The research is motivated by the growing challenges of inefficiency, safety risks, and environmental degradation in Bamenda’s transport sector, exacerbated by rapid urbanization and weak policy enforcement.

Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study combines structured questionnaires, face-to-face interviews, and secondary data analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of existing regulatory frameworks. The findings reveal that regulatory policies significantly influence transport efficiency, as confirmed by regression analysis (p < 0.05).

However, descriptive statistics highlight critical gaps in enforcement and compliance. For instance, 68% of respondents reported non-compliance with driver licensing, 82% observed a lack of public safety campaigns, and 86% noted negligible enforcement of emission controls.

These disparities indicates the disconnect between formal policies and on-the-ground implementation, as explained by Institutional Theory, which emphasizes the role of regulative, normative, and cultural-cognitive pillars in shaping behavior. The study concludes that while regulatory policies are theoretically sound, their practical impact is undermined by weak enforcement, informal norms, and insufficient stakeholder collaboration. Recommendations include strengthening enforcement mechanisms, standardizing fares and routes, phasing out polluting vehicles, and launching public awareness campaigns.

Keywords: Regulatory policies, land transport, operational efficiency, safety regulations, environmental regulations, Bamenda, Cameroon.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

• Background to the Study

Urban transport systems are critical to the economic and social development of cities, as they facilitate the movement of people and goods efficiently (Cervero, 2013). In Bamenda Town, Cameroon, land transport plays a vital role in connecting residents to workplaces, markets, and social services. However, the system faces numerous challenges, including inefficiency, safety concerns, and environmental degradation, which hinder its ability to meet the growing demand for mobility (Njoh, 2016). These issues are exacerbated by rapid urbanization and population growth, placing additional pressure on the existing transport infrastructure.

Regulatory policies are essential for ensuring the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of land transport systems (Gwilliam, 2002). In Bamenda, regulatory frameworks such as safety standards, operational guidelines, and environmental regulations are designed to address these challenges. However, the enforcement of these policies remains weak, leading to the proliferation of unregulated operators and poorly maintained vehicles (Tchouassi, 2010). This lack of enforcement undermines the effectiveness of these policies, resulting in frequent accidents, unreliable services, and environmental pollution.

Safety regulations are a critical component of transport policies, aimed at reducing accidents and ensuring passenger security (World Health Organization, 2018). In Bamenda, the absence of strict enforcement of safety standards has led to the operation of vehicles that are not roadworthy, contributing to high accident rates. Studies have shown that effective safety regulations can significantly reduce traffic-related injuries and fatalities (Jacobs, Aeron-Thomas, & Astrop, 2000). However, the extent to which these regulations are implemented in Bamenda remains unclear, necessitating further investigation.

Operational standards, such as licensing and route regulations, are designed to ensure the orderly functioning of transport systems (Vasconcellos, 2014). In Bamenda, the lack of adherence to these standards has resulted in chaotic operations, including route duplication, fare disputes, and overcrowding. These issues not only affect the efficiency of the transport system but also lead to passenger dissatisfaction and reduced trust in public transport services (Kumar & Barrett, 2008). Addressing these challenges requires a thorough understanding of how operational standards impact transport efficiency in the town.

Environmental regulations are increasingly important in urban transport systems, as they aim to reduce pollution and promote sustainable mobility (Litman, 2016). In major cities in Cameroon, the transport sector is a significant contributor to air pollution, primarily due to the use of old, poorly maintained vehicles. Environmental policies, such as emission controls and vehicle age limits, are essential for mitigating these effects. However, the implementation of such policies in Bamenda has been inconsistent, raising questions about their effectiveness in reducing environmental harm (Nkengfack & Kaffo, 2020).

The impact of regulatory policies on land transport operations has been widely studied in various contexts, but there is limited research focusing on Cameroon especially, Bamenda Town (Njoh, 2016). Existing studies have highlighted the importance of effective policy implementation in improving transport systems, but few have examined the specific challenges faced by Bamenda. This gap in the literature underscores the need for a localized study to assess the effectiveness of regulatory policies in addressing the town’s transport issues.

The rapid urbanization of Bamenda has further complicated the transport landscape, as the existing infrastructure struggles to accommodate the growing population (Tchouassi, 2010). This has led to increased congestion, longer travel times, and higher operational costs for transport operators. Regulatory policies must adapt to these changing dynamics to ensure the sustainability of the transport system. However, without a clear understanding of how these policies are currently impacting operations, it is difficult to design effective interventions.

1.1 Statement of the Research Problem

Land transport in Bamenda Town has many problems, such as inefficiency, safety issues, and harm to the environment. These problems are made worse because the rules meant to improve transport are not enforced well. This leads to unregulated operators, poorly maintained vehicles, and frequent accidents. Even though there are policies to fix these issues, it is unclear if they are working as intended.

Without strong rules, transport services are unreliable, fares are often disputed, and vehicles are overcrowded. Passengers face delays, high costs, and unsafe conditions, while transport operators struggle to make a profit and follow the rules. This shows a need to study how these rules affect the efficiency and sustainability of transport in Bamenda Town.

There is also a lack of research on how these policies impact transport in Bamenda. This makes it hard for leaders to know what changes are needed. This study will look at how safety rules, operational standards, and environmental regulations affect transport, providing useful information to improve the system. Thus, this study seeks to investigate the effects of regulatory policies on land transport operations in Bamenda, aiming to identify the gaps.

1.2 Research Questions

1.2.1 Main Research Question

What is the impact of regulatory policies on land transport operations in Bamenda, Cameroon?

1.2.2 Specific Research Questions

1. What is the effect of safety regulations on the operational efficiency of land transport systems in Bamenda Town?
2. How do operational standards impact the efficiency of land transport systems in Bamenda Town?
3. What is the effect of environmental regulations on the efficiency of land transport systems in Bamenda Town?

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