Story by Jeremiah Gora
Harare City Council has officially announced a ban on illegal taxi ranks in a bid to alleviate the growing traffic congestion in the city, signaling a decisive step towards restoring order on the streets.
In a statement, Harare City Council Town Clerk Engineer P. M. Moyo announced this new initiative aimed at easing traffic congestion throughout the city.
“The City of Harare wishes to inform the public, commuter omnibus operators and stakeholders that picking and dropping of passengers at undesignated points by public passenger vehicles in Harare is strictly prohibited.
“There has been an increase in congestion levels on the streets of Harare especially during the morning and evening peak periods,” announced the statement.
Engineer Moyo further highlighted that buses and commuter omnibuses block lanes and cause congestion.
“There has been an increase an increase in congestion levels on the streets of Harare especially during the morning and evening peak periods. Our observations have been that this is exacerbated by buses and commuter omnibuses that are picking and dropping passengers at undesignated points. Some park on the streets and block the lanes resulting in heavy congestion,” announced Engineer Moyo.
Furthermore, Engineer Moyo further announced that Transporters must use designated points, and the order is with immediate effect.
“In an effort to reduce congestion, Council would like to advise public transport operators along Sam Nujoma (Second Street) that with immediate effect, they must use Coventry Road Rank and Mbare Musika.
“All buses destined for Bulawayo that are illegally picking passengers from Showgrounds or along Samora Machel Avenue must use Mbare Musika and Coventry Road Bus Rank,” he said.
In addition, he further announced the designated registered pick-up points within the city.
“The following are the major commuter omnibus termini that should be used by registered public transport operators:
“1. Market Square
Charge Office
Copacabana
S. Muzenda (4th Street)
Rezende North,” said the statement.
“All picking up points that were established by ZUPCO during the COVID era are no longer operational. All registered and licensed operators and commuter omnibus associations are being advised to revert to their original operating termini as per issued by the City of Harare.
He further advised operators to register with relevant authorities.
“Public passenger vehicles are expected to be registered by the relevant authorities that include City of Harare and Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development.
“The permits are clear on the ranks, routes and timetables to be used,” said the statement.
He warned public transport operators that massive measures are in place to deal with congestion.
“Given the above, the city of Harare wishes to inform residents, public transport operators and stakeholders that we have launched a massive enforcement operation to rid the city of congestion,” he said.
