Chronicle Editor
Ashley Phiri, [email protected]
TRANSPORT operators, commuters and vendors in Bulawayo have expressed concern over the limited space and high rentals at Egodini Terminus and called on authorities to speed up the process of completing outstanding works.
The taxi rank opened its gates in February, following the completion of its upgrade under Phase One of the multi-million-dollar construction project that should include a modern shopping mall, among other commercial infrastructure.
Although the project has taken longer to complete since the terminus was closed eight years ago, transport operators hoped the re-opening of the taxi rank would ease congestion in the city centre and enhance the safety of commuters.
The project started in 2016 and has been partially completed as only Phase one was opened, to make way for 400 informal traders and transport operators plying mainly western suburbs routes.
The scope of work included a modern complex with 750 informal trader stalls, a shopping mall, and a public transport and off-loading facility for regional and cross-border buses and minibus taxis.
Registered public transport operators urged police and municipal police to intensify the fight against illegal transport operators, saying they are crippling their business.
Bulawayo City Transit (BCT) vice chairperson, Mr Daniel Fundo said they have engaged Terracotta and the company assured them that they were working on a way to ease the congestion. “We are very much aware that the working environment is not conducive due to the problem of space, but we have been having conversations with Terracotta and they have promised us that maybe next week they will open up some more space for us,” he said.
Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Association (BVTA)’s executive director, Mr Michael Ndiweni said they are in the process of engaging the developer and Bulawayo City Council (BCC), to try and find common ground.
“We are trying to foster dialogue with the authorities, so that we can reach an understanding in terms of the rent we are paying because honestly, we cannot afford it. We hope that it can be reduced for a while and then gradually and steadily increase as other phases are opened,” he said.
Mr Ndiweni said they wrote a letter to Terracotta last week and the company is yet to respond.
Bulawayo deputy mayor, Councillor Edwin Ndlovu said while they sympathise with both vendors and kombi operators, BCC had little it can do as the project is being managed by the developer.
“I am not yet aware that the vendors are facing this kind of a problem, probably because that project is being managed by the developer. I have not yet received any formal communication in that regard. However, I do urge the vendors to formally engage the developer, so they can reach an understanding because I am sure there is a reason for charging that amount in rentals,” he said.
“As councillors, we are involved in policy-making, but the management of that project is under the developer.”
One of the kombi drivers operating under the Bulawayo United Public Transport Association (Bupta), who only identified himself as Mr Bandura said there is not enough space at the taxi rank, resulting in commuters shunning the facility.
“While we are happy with the move taken by the Bulawayo City Council to move us back to Egodini, we are having challenges with unregistered operators operating in undesignated areas and taking business away from us,” he said.
“You rank here for several hours and do three trips, yet those operating outside the law are making more money. BCC should intensify the blitz on pirate taxis, and we also urge council to consider expanding this place.”
Vendors said the fees for operating at Egodini were exorbitant rentals.
“When we came here, we were told that the rent is US$90. Surprisingly, after spending money in the registration process, they shifted goalposts, and the figure is now pegged at US$104,” said Ms Buhlebuyeza Sithole, a vendor.
“In addition to that, there are some hidden costs like five rands that they need us to pay every time we go to the toilet. We urged council to review the rentals because business is very low at Egodini.”
Another vendor, Mr Tendai Mushore said: “The other issue is that some of the stuff we used to sell before we came here, is not permitted here. Fruits, vegetables, and cooked food are not allowed to be sold here, yet for some of us that was our cash cow.”
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