adminLoveness Bepete Chronicle Reporter
THE Bulawayo City Council has warned public transport operators that they risk being banned if they fail to join Tshova Mubaiwa, Bulawayo Public Transport Association or any other registered company contracted to the municipality to run public transport operations. BCC Acting town clerk Sikhangele Zhou said this was in line with the local authority’s public transport policy.
“Public transport operators in Bulawayo are advised to join either Tshova Mubaiwa Transport Company or BUPTA Limited Public Company or any other company contracted to council to run public transport operations in Bulawayo,” Zhou said.
“Operators who will not be part of any of these companies from the official signing of the Service Level Agreements will not be allowed to operate in Bulawayo.”
She said BUPTA would service the areas east of Plumtree Road, covering all the low and medium density areas, northern areas as well as the western areas stretching from Richmond through Cowdray Park up to Khami Road.
Zhou added that Tshova Mubaiwa would service the area between Plumtree Road and Khami Road.
“New pick-up and drop-off points shall be introduced including City Hall with effect from April 13,” she said.
Bulawayo Public Transport Association, secretary general Albert Ncube yesterday commended the local authority for its new transport policy.
He said it would bring order in the city as they would be operating under one command.
“We’re happy about the decision as it’ll maintain order. This is so because all registered operators undergo training on customer care and generally on our code of conduct. Operating under one command will help eradicate all the uncalled for behaviour by some kombi operators,” Ncube said.
Meanwhile, more than 50 kombi drivers and conductors on Tuesday underwent a public relations and customer care training jointly organised by council and BUPTA.
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