News / Local
Non Bupta or Tshova Mubaiwa registered kombi operators to lose permits
27 Mar 2015 at 14:13hrs | Views
COMMUTER omnibus operators plying western routes in Bulawayo yesterday condemned the city council's move to ban commuter omnibuses which are not registered with either Bulawayo Public Transport Association (Bupta) or Tshova Mubaiwa.
The kombi operators said the decision had created confusion within the transport industry.
Last month Bulawayo Mayor, Councillor Martin Moyo, said kombis that are not affiliates of Bupta or Tshova Mubaiwa risk being pushed out of business.
He said the vehicles would lose their route permits on March 31.
The announcement was in line with the local authority's Public Transport Policy formulated in 2011.
The policy seeks to bring an end to individual ownership of public transport vehicles.
National Professional Drivers' Trust Company chief executive officer Albert Sibanda said Bupta and Tshova Mubaiwa affiliates had started threatening to stop some of his members who were not affiliates from picking passengers at Basch Street Terminus commonly known as Egodini.
He said the move has created confusion among kombi owners as some owners with route permits to service western areas such as Pumula South are forced to ply eastern routes like Mahatshula.
"There is confusion and uncertainty regarding the Bulawayo Transport Public Policy. At present there is no company that has been given the mandate to manage this terminus and those attempting to chase away other operators are breaking the law," said Sibanda.
He said there was a circular stating that Bupta would stop other kombi operators from picking and dropping passengers at Egodini.
"I saw a circular from Bupta stating that they will be closing Egodini. The city fathers are the custodians of this policy they should deal with it? he said.
The Chronicle visited Egodini terminus yesterday and scores of commuter operators were complaining about the policy saying it has worsened disorder in the public transport sector.
Martin Mtungambera, owner of three kombis, said the policy was very unfair as it was meant to promote organisations such as Bupta which was charging $45 in membership fees.
He said he had since been pushed out of the Pumula South route and replaced by operators who are members of Tshova Mubaiwa.
"These people are violating our rights. I've been plying the Pumula South route since 2005 but today I'm told to move out of the route. There are certain individuals who are benefiting from this policy because people are forced to pay $45 to be members," said Mtungambera.
Another commuter omnibus operator Hezekiya Thobela, 78, said the two companies, Bupta and Tshova Mubaiwa, were fleecing kombi operators of their hand earned cash.
Bupta secretary general Albert Ncube professed ignorance over the matter, referring questions to the city council, which he said had given them the mandate to form a company.
Bulawayo City Council senior public relations officer, Nesisa Mpofu, could not be readied for comment as her phone went unanswered.
The kombi operators said the decision had created confusion within the transport industry.
Last month Bulawayo Mayor, Councillor Martin Moyo, said kombis that are not affiliates of Bupta or Tshova Mubaiwa risk being pushed out of business.
He said the vehicles would lose their route permits on March 31.
The announcement was in line with the local authority's Public Transport Policy formulated in 2011.
The policy seeks to bring an end to individual ownership of public transport vehicles.
National Professional Drivers' Trust Company chief executive officer Albert Sibanda said Bupta and Tshova Mubaiwa affiliates had started threatening to stop some of his members who were not affiliates from picking passengers at Basch Street Terminus commonly known as Egodini.
He said the move has created confusion among kombi owners as some owners with route permits to service western areas such as Pumula South are forced to ply eastern routes like Mahatshula.
"There is confusion and uncertainty regarding the Bulawayo Transport Public Policy. At present there is no company that has been given the mandate to manage this terminus and those attempting to chase away other operators are breaking the law," said Sibanda.
He said there was a circular stating that Bupta would stop other kombi operators from picking and dropping passengers at Egodini.
"I saw a circular from Bupta stating that they will be closing Egodini. The city fathers are the custodians of this policy they should deal with it? he said.
The Chronicle visited Egodini terminus yesterday and scores of commuter operators were complaining about the policy saying it has worsened disorder in the public transport sector.
Martin Mtungambera, owner of three kombis, said the policy was very unfair as it was meant to promote organisations such as Bupta which was charging $45 in membership fees.
He said he had since been pushed out of the Pumula South route and replaced by operators who are members of Tshova Mubaiwa.
"These people are violating our rights. I've been plying the Pumula South route since 2005 but today I'm told to move out of the route. There are certain individuals who are benefiting from this policy because people are forced to pay $45 to be members," said Mtungambera.
Another commuter omnibus operator Hezekiya Thobela, 78, said the two companies, Bupta and Tshova Mubaiwa, were fleecing kombi operators of their hand earned cash.
Bupta secretary general Albert Ncube professed ignorance over the matter, referring questions to the city council, which he said had given them the mandate to form a company.
Bulawayo City Council senior public relations officer, Nesisa Mpofu, could not be readied for comment as her phone went unanswered.
Source - chronicle
