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Farai Kuvirimirwa Herald Reporter
AT least 2 300 errant kombis and pirate taxis were impounded by Harare City Council between August and September for violating by-laws that include picking and dropping passengers at illegal points.
Harare City spokesperson Mr Leslie Gwindi said since the launch of the blitz on errant transport operators, US$455 883 was realised in fines.
“The programme is ongoing and meant to decongest the CBD and make Harare a world-class city. The city takes this opportunity to re-emphasise its earlier position with regards to commuter omnibus operations.
“Operators and commuters are urged to use the designated pick and drop points. Buoyed by public support in favour of our stance on illegal kombi operations, council together with the ZRP are taking decisive measures that will ensure repeat offenders are put off the road and we are amending our by-laws to provide for the fining of commuters using undesignated pick and drop points as well,” said Mr Gwindi.
Mr Gwindi said construction of additional holding bays to cater for kombis that use the Charge Office and Fourth Street bus ranks would be provided for in the 2015 budget.
The city recently unveiled the Coventry Road Holding Bay to cater for kombis using the Copacabana bus rank. Kombis that use the Market Square bus rank will soon be using part of the Coventry Holding Bay.
The designated bus ranks in the CBD are Copacabana, Charge Office, Fourth Street, Market Square and Rezende North, which caters for Mt Pleasant and University of Zimbabwe-bound kombis.
Online Reporter