Illegal kombi rank sparks chaos in Bulawayo CBD

CHAOS continues to grip Bulawayo’s central business district after commuter omnibus operators defied a Bulawayo City Council (BCC) directive to relocate to the Egodini Taxi Rank, instead establishing a new illegal pick-up point at the intersection of Sixth Avenue and Basch Street.

The unauthorised rank emerged after council closed part of Sixth Avenue to pave way for major road rehabilitation and sewer construction works expected to last three months.

The closure affects Sixth Avenue between Herbert Chitepo Street and Basch Street as well as Lobengula Street between Third Avenue and Sixth Avenue.

In a public notice, council directed all commuter omnibuses that previously operated from the notorious Sixth Avenue rank to move their operations to Egodini with immediate effect.

“In the interest of public and worker safety, a full carriageway closure of Sixth Avenue will be implemented for the duration of the works, together with appropriate traffic management and diversion measures,” said council.

BCC said traffic approaching the intersection of Sixth Avenue and Herbert Chitepo Street will be diverted as follows: Northbound and part of the westbound traffic intending to use Sixth Avenue will be diverted via Third Avenue to their respective destinations.

“Southbound traffic and the remaining westbound traffic will be diverted via Ninth Avenue and 11th Avenue to their respective destinations. All commuter omnibuses currently picking up and loading passengers along Sixth Avenue are hereby directed to relocate their operations to the Egodini Taxi Rank with immediate effect,” read the notice.

However, two weeks after the directive, kombi operators have simply shifted operations a few metres away to the corner of Sixth Avenue and Basch Street, where a bustling illegal rank now operates daily just outside the ZRP Ross Camp.

A Chronicle news crew yesterday observed organised operations involving touts, conductors and drivers openly soliciting passengers travelling to western suburbs such as Luveve, Gwabalanda, Emakhandeni, Magwegwe North, Cowdray Park and Entumbane.

Touts were seen signalling kombis to quickly move in and load passengers once enough commuters had gathered at the intersection.

Passengers were hurriedly ushered into vehicles, which often departed before filling up completely in a bid to avoid municipal police and traffic enforcement officers.

A second-hand dealer operating near the intersection, who identified himself only as Anele, said despite regular patrols by police and municipal officers, kombi crews continue returning to the area.

“ZRP and municipal officers make rounds to chase away the kombi crews parked at the intersection but they still come back to pick up passengers,” he said.

Anele said traffic volumes increase significantly after 3PM as commuters scramble for transport home.

“By the start of rush hour the place resembles a fully-fledged taxi rank. I think people generally shun Egodini as it takes more time for passengers to fill up one vehicle and the kombis that operate here maximise on that,” he said.

Some kombi drivers admitted that they preferred operating at the illegal rank because commuters were already accustomed to boarding transport along Sixth Avenue.

“Passengers are used to getting transport at Sixth Avenue so we will just wait for them here at the intersection,” said a driver who declined to be named.

The transport chaos has also spread to nearby intersections, with the junction of Ninth Avenue and Herbert Chitepo Street becoming heavily congested during peak hours due to diverted traffic.

Council acknowledged that the rehabilitation works would inevitably cause inconvenience but urged motorists and the public to cooperate with the temporary traffic arrangements.

“However, some inconvenience is unavoidable and the City of Bulawayo sincerely apologises for any inconvenience caused. Motorists and members of the public are urged to exercise caution when approaching the affected area, observe all warning signs and traffic control measures, and comply with the designated diversion routes,” said BCC.

BCC said every effort will be made to minimise disruption to traffic flow and business operations during the course of the rehabilitation works.

“The City of Bulawayo appreciates the public’s patience and cooperation during this period,” said council.