admin
While a considerable degree of order has been noticed in the CBD, commuters are the most affected as they now have to walk across the city to their different workplaces.
Some commuters now prefer using private cars, which drop them in the city centre.
A snap survey by Chronicle last week revealed that commuters were now walking from the periphery of the city where commuter omnibuses now drop them off.
Taxis are reportedly making a killing where they intercept commuters as they drop off from the commuter omnibuses near Quick’s along Khami Road or at Egodini and take them to different workplaces across the city.
Those from western suburbs now disembark at corner Basch Street and Khami Road and Basch Street Terminus, popularly known as Egodini, where some enterprising taxi drivers intercept them.
Some commuters said they work as far as the eastern end of the city centre and would find it tiresome to walk across the city.
They are charged $2 for a trip.
Speaking to Chronicle, some taxi drivers said they hoped the operation would continue so that they get clients.
“Business is usually slow for us but since last week we have been getting clients in the morning. There are some people who cannot walk from Quick’s or from Egodini to the city centre or some workplaces in Suburbs. Some would be late for work and we ferry them for $2,” said Mr Simiso Moyo, who operates a taxi.
Commuters have raised concern over the operation saying they were now forced to walk long distances to their workplaces.
“The operation has brought order in the city but we are the ones who are suffering now because we have to walk extended distances while some pay extra money to hire a taxi so that they are not late for work,” said Mr Nkosana Mkwananzi of Magwegwe North.
Mrs Mariya Mhlanga from Pumula South said the extra distance meant that she should wake up early. “I start work at 7.30am and I am forced to rush to school. On some days we hire a taxi from Quick’s with colleagues and we take turns to pay,” she said.
However, a commuter omnibus crew told Chronicle it was finding it difficult to meet its target because morning trips had been reduced, as people now prefer private cars to kombis into town. “We used to do an average of four trips before 8am but now sometimes we make three or two. People are not happy that we drop them outside town and they prefer private vehicles to us. We wish one day we would drop them at TM Hyper again,” said a kombi driver who only identified himself as SaMadu.
Police recently barred commuter omnibuses from passing through the city centre in a bid to reduce congestion and accidents.
The operation, which was launched early this month, sought to bar commuter omnibuses from passing through the city centre in a bid to reduce congestion, eliminate illegal pick-up points in the central business district and also reduce accidents.
No latest statistics of impounded commuter omnibuses and pirate taxis could be obtained but when the operation started, 43 commuter omnibuses and 22 pirate taxis were impounded.
The operation runs concurrently with the ongoing Bulawayo City Council operation of clamping and towing away vehicles at roadblocks to compel motorists to pay for about 20 000 outstanding traffic offence tickets worth more than $100 000.
Scores of kombi drivers protested against the move and accused police of smashing windscreens of their vehicles whenever they refused to comply but the police have remained resolute on the CBD entry points.
The move is meant to decongest areas that include Herbert Chitepo Street, 6th Avenue Extension, 12th Avenue and Leopold Takawira Avenue around the Large City Hall where most illegal operators are found.
Online Reporter