News / National
Transport operators ordered to join associations or face ban
26 May 2025 at 19:36hrs | Views
The City of Mutare has ordered all public transport operators to join one of the city's registered commuter associations by May 30, 2025, or risk being barred from operating. The directive was announced during a stakeholder meeting held on Monday, where city officials outlined new measures aimed at streamlining urban transport operations and eliminating unregulated competition.
Addressing the operators, Acting Director of Spatial Planning Engineer Brian Sango said the city was moving toward a structured system where each association will be assigned specific routes and ranks. This, he explained, would ensure order and efficiency in the city's public transport network.
"By May 30, you must ensure that you belong to these associations and your vehicles are branded," said Sango. "We will then allocate you your ranks and routes during our next meeting. No operator will be allowed to operate unless they are part of the registered associations. You will not be permitted to use illegal pick-up and drop-off points in the city."
Mutare currently has four registered transporter associations: the Manicaland Drivers and Transporters Association (MDATA), Urban Link, Progressive Family Trust, and SCUTA. Operators are expected to align themselves with one of these bodies, which will be responsible for managing route compliance, branding, and communication with city authorities.
The city's decision follows growing concerns over congestion, disorder, and safety risks caused by unregulated transport activities. Many operators have been accused of using illegal pick-up points, disregarding rank allocations, and operating without clear oversight.
Sango said Mutare was adopting a model similar to that used in Bulawayo, where transporters are formally assigned ranks and routes by the local authority. He noted that the new structure would help restore sanity on the roads, reduce friction between operators, and enhance passenger safety.
The city council has vowed to begin enforcement immediately after the deadline, warning that operators who fail to comply will not be allowed to continue operations. Further meetings are expected in the coming weeks to finalise route allocations and enforce the new system.
Addressing the operators, Acting Director of Spatial Planning Engineer Brian Sango said the city was moving toward a structured system where each association will be assigned specific routes and ranks. This, he explained, would ensure order and efficiency in the city's public transport network.
"By May 30, you must ensure that you belong to these associations and your vehicles are branded," said Sango. "We will then allocate you your ranks and routes during our next meeting. No operator will be allowed to operate unless they are part of the registered associations. You will not be permitted to use illegal pick-up and drop-off points in the city."
The city's decision follows growing concerns over congestion, disorder, and safety risks caused by unregulated transport activities. Many operators have been accused of using illegal pick-up points, disregarding rank allocations, and operating without clear oversight.
Sango said Mutare was adopting a model similar to that used in Bulawayo, where transporters are formally assigned ranks and routes by the local authority. He noted that the new structure would help restore sanity on the roads, reduce friction between operators, and enhance passenger safety.
The city council has vowed to begin enforcement immediately after the deadline, warning that operators who fail to comply will not be allowed to continue operations. Further meetings are expected in the coming weeks to finalise route allocations and enforce the new system.
Source - Mirror
