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Innocent Ruwende Senior Reporter
COMMUTER omnibuses plying south-western suburbs-city routes will start using the Coventry holding bay tomorrow, while Harare City Council is set to conduct trial runs today.An official within the city’s public relations department confirmed the development yesterday.
The official said bus lanes for use by kombis from the holding bay to Copacabana terminus would be marked and designated. Commuter omnibuses that pick and drop passengers at Copacabana are obliged to use the new bays.
Radio systems will be used to control the movement of kombis between the holding bay and the rank, while a ticket system will be introduced to ensure compliance.
Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Dr Ignatius Chombo is expected to officially open the parking bays on Friday. Council says no passengers would be dropped or picked up from the holding bay.
However, during the morning peak hour kombis can drop passengers and return to the residential suburbs to ferry more commuters.
In a statement last Friday, the city said a kombi coming from the holding bay to the bus rank will be issued with a ticket to be surrendered at the entrance. The ticket will bear the number plate of the kombi and only kombis with certified tickets would be allowed to pick up passengers.
“The two facilities are fitted with booms to regulate the movement of traffic. The purpose of the holding bay is to ensure that no kombis park on the streets. The city council is actively engaging kombi operators to ensure adherence and acceptance.”
Council said temporary toilets would be used while permanent structures were being constructed.
“Refuse bins have been provided while vendor activities will be strictly regulated,” council said.
The city traffic system has been chaotic.
Council said the holding bay and the Copacabana rank would be manned by the police. Kombis evading traffic and municipal police have at times caused fatal accidents in the CBD.
Council said more holding bays would be built for commuter omnibuses servicing the Chitungwiza, southern and eastern suburbs.
The city says the purpose of the Holding Bay is to ensure that no kombis park on the streets. Initially temporary mobile toilets would be used while the construction of permanent structures is in progress.
The holding bays are expected to go a long way in decongesting the Central Business District.
No comment could be obtained from the police yesterday on how compliance by the public transporters would be guaranteed.
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