Cowdray Park residents ban kombis

COWDRAY Park residents have resolved to bar kombis that hiked fares to R7 from operating in the suburb with effect from tomorrow morning.

At a meeting today, residents agreed to barricade the road at the railway crossing (esiporweni) near Emakhandeni at 6am today to block all kombis charging R7 from entering the suburb. Ward 28 councillor Collet Ndhlovu said a taskforce made up of residents' leaders had been assigned to lead blocking of kombis.

Speaking on behalf of residents, Mr Nevison Chigondo said residents were determined to fight till the end.

"We are totally trying to put kombis off our roads if they continue abusing commuters. Despite all the efforts, they are still charging R7 and as we speak we have got three buses from Zupco although they are only commuting in the morning," he said.

In separate interviews yesterday, representatives of the Bulawayo Public Transporters Association (Bupta) and Professional Drivers Association (PDA) said there was a need for proper engagement because blocking the kombis will only worsen the transport problems for the suburb.

"Residents can say they want to ban kombis but they would not have solved the problem because whoever they bring in would face the same hiccups," said Mr Albert Ncube, the secretary general of Bupta.

"We have suggested that the councilor for the area should gather people and call operators to explain their position at the same time listening to people's concerns."

Mr Ncube distanced his association from the fares hike, which he blamed on unregistered kombis.

He said the unregistered kombis were not under any association and were charging willy nilly according to expenses they incur on spares and fuel.
There are two main associations in Bulawayo, Bupta and Tshova Mubaiwa.

Mr Ncube said operators cannot be said to be overcharging because even the R5 was not gazzetted as there has not been any fare gazetted by the Government since dollarisation.

He said as an association they had not officially increased fares.

"We recently advised the leaders of that route to engage the councilor and operators but the problem is that there are many cars that are not under Bupta and law does not allow anyone to be forced to join an association.

"Truly speaking Cowdray Park is too far and that R5 is not viable. We have to engage people before we raise fares. As an association we have not increased fares because we can only do that after engaging the Government as that should affect all suburbs. We are not in favour of what is happening but residents should also not think that kombis are profiteering by increasing fares, they are trying to beat costs," Mr Ncube said.

The furthest point in Cowdray Park is about 24km from the city centre.