BCC to introduce new electronic parking system

BULAWAYO City Council, in partnership with Tendy Three Investments (TTI), has embarked on a project to introduce a new electronic parking system aimed at decongesting the city.

The project will run for six years.

BCC representative Nqobile Mabuza said the project would  restore order in the city.

"We want to introduce a new parking system that is driven by technology. This will help the police officers to locate anyone they are looking for if any incident takes place," Mabuza said on Friday.

"We have 7 200 parking bays in the city centre and all will be recorded in this new system."

He said the parking bays would be charged depending on the location.

"Parking in any space will cost US$1 per hour while others will cost the same for 30 minutes. Some other areas which are not busy will not be paid hourly. Those who work in the city will be given a monthly discount," he said.

Bulawayo town clerk Christopher Dube said the city would be getting 15% of the revenue while TTI will get 70%.

"This project will generate revenue that will be used to construct roads as we all know that 70% of our roads are in bad condition," he said.

"The 30% we will collect is enough because the city is not investing any amount in the project. TTI will invest $3 million into this project and will recover its investment from the 70% it will collect."

Dube said the project would provide employment to Bulawayo citizens.

"I want to promise you that no person from outside the town will be employed in this project.  We are targeting to employ 400 people during this project," he said.