BCC uses barricades to tame 6th Avenue chaos

The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) is set to erect barricades along 6th Avenue Extension in a bid to curb rampant illegal pick-up and drop-off activities that have turned the corridor into a transport free-for-all.

The move, adopted during a recent full council meeting, signals a shift from policy formulation to physical enforcement as councillors push for practical interventions to restore order in the city's troubled public transport sector.

For years, 6th Avenue Extension has been a hotspot for illegal ranks, with commuter omnibus crews and pirate taxis openly flouting regulations — a situation councillors say is undermining commuter safety and the viability of formal operators.

Ward 10 councillor Khalazani Ndlovu said while council had made progress in crafting a public transport policy, weak enforcement had emboldened errant operators. She singled out VUTA (Pvt) Ltd for allegedly continuing to use an illegal pick-up point despite a service level agreement with the local authority.

Ward 14 councillor Dumisani Netha warned that operators using illegal points would face action in line with the law and the city's transport policy, adding that barricades would serve as both a control measure and a signal of council's intent to restore order.

Ward 28 councillor Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu said weak enforcement had enabled operators to manipulate the system, often creating artificial shortages that drive up fares. He noted that commuters travelling to suburbs such as Cowdray Park and Pumula South are now paying up to US$2 per trip during peak hours.

Councillors also raised concern over the proliferation of unregistered and unbranded commuter omnibuses operating from illegal points, warning that this trend is compromising commuter safety and eroding confidence in the formal transport system.

The challenges extend beyond a single corridor, with unauthorised pick-up points reportedly spreading around Bulawayo City Hall and near Tredgold, further complicating enforcement efforts.

Ward 29 councillor Royini Sekete stressed the need for behavioural reforms within the sector, while Ward 22 councillor Mmeli Thobeka Moyo said poor coordination among council departments was weakening enforcement.

Moyo added that contracted transport operators had failed to adequately service the city, particularly during peak hours, leaving commuters stranded and fuelling the rise of illegal taxis, commonly known as "mushikashika."

Bulawayo mayor David Coltart acknowledged the concerns, saying while engagements with transport operators had produced resolutions, implementation remained inconsistent.

Ward 3 councillor Mxolisi Mahlangu said the barricade plan aligns with broader efforts to restore order and protect commuters, warning that illegal operators and so-called "space barons" would soon face a crackdown.

The planned barricades are expected to complement ongoing efforts to streamline operations at the Egodini Terminus, a key component of the city's long-term public transport strategy.