Kombi operators defy BCC order to relocate from Sixth Avenue

A commuter omnibus picks up passengers at an undesignated pick and drop off point along Leopold Takawira Street .

COMMUTER omnibuses that operated at the infamous Sixth Avenue taxi rank are resisting a directive by Bulawayo City Council (BCC) to relocate to the Egodini taxi rank, as road rehabilitation works set to run for the next three months have resulted in the closure of two key routes linking the city centre to western suburbs.

Last week, council notified residents and stakeholders of the temporary closure of Sixth Avenue between Herbert Chitepo Street and Basch Street, as well as Lobengula Street between Third Avenue and Sixth Avenue, to facilitate the upgrading of Lobengula Street and construction of a sewer system.

“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.

“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 6th Avenue will be diverted via Third Avenue to their respective destinations.

“Southbound traffic and the remaining westbound traffic will be diverted via 9th 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,” said council in a statement.

However, nearly a week after the directive, kombi operators who previously operated along Sixth Avenue have resisted the move, citing poor business at the designated taxi rank, which was revamped by council to ease congestion in the city centre.

A snap survey by Zimpapers yesterday revealed that the kombis have instead shifted operations to Herbert Chitepo Street, creating congestion along the busy road that runs past Tredgold Magistrates’ Court and the Bulawayo High Court.

In full view of municipal officers, touts were openly soliciting passengers travelling to western suburbs such as Emakhandeni, Luveve, Gwabalanda, Magwegwe North, Cowdray Park and Entumbane in broad daylight.

“There is no business at Egodini, so why must we relocate there. Passengers are used to getting transport at Sixth Avenue so we will just wait for them here along Herbert Chitepo Street,” said a tout who declined to reveal his identity.

Kombi driver Mr Marvelous Nyoni said: “During peak hours, it takes over 10 minutes for one kombi to fill up with passengers but here (along Herbert Chitepo Street), it takes less than a minute for 18 passengers to fill up my vehicle. It makes no sense for us to leave all these passengers and go to Egodini where there is minimal business.”

Vendors who previously operated along Lobengula Street, which is undergoing extensive rehabilitation, have also relocated to Sixth Avenue, setting up informal trading bays complete with plastic shelters and metal structures to display their goods.

Mrs Edna Phiri, a vendor who spoke to the Zimpapers news crew yesterday, said she could not afford to suspend operations for three months while the works are underway.

“We survive from hand to mouth so a day lost without selling anything means my children will go to bed without food. All the vendors that you see here at Sixth Avenue previously traded along Lobengula Street and we all moved last Monday when BCC machines started digging the street. I will go back to Lobengula Street when council has finished working there but for now I will stay put here at Sixth Avenue because I can’t afford to be out of business,” said Mrs Phiri.

The disruption extends beyond Sixth Avenue.

The intersection of 9th Avenue and Herbert Chitepo Street has become heavily congested, with traffic flow significantly affected during peak morning and evening periods as vehicles struggle to enter and exit the city centre.

Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) traffic officers were yesterday seen attempting to restore order at the busy intersection by directing traffic.

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

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