Kombi operators resist move to egodini

COMMUTER omnibus operators who previously operated from Bulawayo's controversial Sixth Avenue taxi rank are resisting a directive by the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) to relocate to the Egodini Taxi Rank following major road rehabilitation works in the city centre.

The standoff comes after council temporarily closed Sixth Avenue between Herbert Chitepo Street and Basch Street, as well as Lobengula Street between Third Avenue and Sixth Avenue, to facilitate the upgrading of Lobengula Street and construction of a sewer system expected to take three months.

In a public notice issued last week, council said the closures were necessary to ensure public and worker safety during the infrastructure works.

"All commuter omnibuses currently picking up and loading passengers along Sixth Avenue are hereby directed to relocate their operations to the Egodini Taxi Rank with immediate effect," council said.

However, kombi operators have largely ignored the directive, arguing that business at Egodini remains poor despite the facility having been revamped to reduce congestion in the city centre.

A survey conducted yesterday showed that many commuter omnibuses had instead shifted operations to Herbert Chitepo Street, worsening congestion along the busy corridor near Tredgold Magistrates' Court and the Bulawayo High Court.

Touts were openly soliciting passengers travelling to western suburbs including Emakhandeni, Luveve, Gwabalanda, Magwegwe North, Cowdray Park and Entumbane.

"There is no business at Egodini, so why must we relocate there. Passengers are used to getting transport at Sixth Avenue so we will just wait for them here along Herbert Chitepo Street," said one tout who declined to be named.

Kombi driver Marvelous Nyoni said operators were prioritising routes with higher passenger volumes.

"During peak hours, it takes over 10 minutes for one kombi to fill up with passengers but here it takes less than a minute for 18 passengers to fill up my vehicle. It makes no sense for us to leave all these passengers and go to Egodini where there is minimal business," he said.

The rehabilitation works have also displaced informal traders who previously operated along Lobengula Street.

Many vendors have relocated to Sixth Avenue, erecting temporary plastic shelters and metal stalls to continue trading while construction continues.

Vendor Edna Phiri said suspending business for three months was not financially viable.

"We survive from hand to mouth so a day lost without selling anything means my children will go to bed without food," she said.

The disruptions have extended to nearby intersections, particularly at Ninth Avenue and Herbert Chitepo Street, where heavy congestion has been reported during peak hours.

Zimbabwe Republic Police traffic officers were seen directing vehicles in an effort to restore order at the busy junction.

The city council acknowledged that the project would cause inconvenience but said the works were necessary to improve infrastructure.

"Every effort will be made to minimise disruption to traffic flow and business operations during the rehabilitation works. However, some inconvenience is unavoidable," council said.

Authorities urged motorists and pedestrians to observe diversion routes, traffic signs and safety instructions throughout the duration of the project.