Residents planning to buy own commuter omnibuses

Bulawayo - Residents in Cowdray Park are reportedly planning to procure a fleet of commuter omnibuses to ply the route accusing operators of fleecing them.

According to Southern Eye, residents have already raised $4 000 for the project to buy buses.

Collet Ndhlovu, the councillor for the area, said the idea to buy their own vehicles was inspired by poor treatment residents received at the hands of public transporters.

"We are buying kombis for the community and we are asking residents to contribute $60 per head towards the project," he said.

"The vision came after the residents got fed up with the treatment they are getting from current kombi owners plying the route especially the drivers and conductors.

"The fares charged per trip cannot be justified and residents feel cheated."

Ndhlovu said a company called Cowdray Park Taxi Association would be formed and board members will be elected in March.

"We had planned to close contributions last Saturday, but due to an outcry from scores of residents who said they were not aware of the project, we asked for an extension till the end of February to make contributions," Ndhlovu said.

According to the councillor, there is no fixed fare for Cowdray Park as commuter omnibuses are charging between R6 to $1 depending on traffic volumes. Residents have suggested that the commuter train that plies the City-Luveve route proceeds to Cowdray Park to ease the transport problem.

Last year, residents resorted to barring commuter omnibuses that increased fares to R7 instead of R5 per trip from operating in the suburb.