Pirate taxi operators legalise operations

ABOUT 15 years ago, when the Honda Fit pirate taxi business started emerging in Bulawayo, a group of individuals also claimed their share of the illegal enterprise by “invading” a street corner that they used as an impromptu taxi rank to ferry passengers.

The illegal transport operators would engage in long-running battles with law enforcement agents.

Illegal pirate taxi termini mushroomed in popular pick-up points such as the corner of Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Street and Third Avenue, parking bays close to the Bulawayo City Hall, a space near TM/Pick and Pay Hyper and corner Sixth Avenue and Herbert Chitepo Street, among others.

Tired of being involved in cat-and-mouse games with the police, about 15 taxi owners decided to regularise their business by forming a taxi association, naming it Expriccos Taxis.

“After two years operating illegally, we decided enough was enough. We sat down as pirate taxi owners and approached the Bulawayo City Council to find out how we could operate within the confines of the by-laws of the city and they advised us to register an association,” said Expriccos chairman, Mr Mpikelelo Khumalo.

He said they hired a lawyer who assisted them in going through the legal process.

“When our papers were in order, the city council allocated us six dedicated parking bays at the corner of Josiah Tongogara Street and Sixth Avenue. We paid for our parking bays at the city council and our passengers knew where to find us,” said Mr Khumalo

From about 15 vehicles when they started operating as a registered taxi association, Expriccos Taxis has grown to a fleet of over 60 cars.

“We have increased the number of parking bays to cater for more vehicles at the taxi rank at any given time, our drivers are all expected to be competent in defensive driving and our cars must pass VID (Vehicle Inspection Department) tests,” said Mr Khumalo.

He said a team of experienced drivers transports learners to their respective schools across the city.

“Some of the young school kids that we ferry to school are brought to the rank by their parents and we take the little ones to school and bring them back in the afternoon. For that service, only our experienced drivers who know how to handle young kids are given that task,” said Mr Khumalo.

The association keeps a “lost and found” register for any unclaimed property left in their taxis by passengers.

“We keep all the lost and found property in the office, so that owners can easily identify them. Schoolkids tend to lose a lot of things but our diligent drivers collect the property for safekeeping in the office,” said Mr Khumalo.

“Complaints against our drivers and rank marshals can also be made at our offices and we will not hesitate to suspend or fire an employee who breaks our code of conduct. Passenger satisfaction is key to our business and we prioritise the safety of our clients.”

Expriccos Taxis is now a registered company and plans are underway to acquire a luxury coach for long-distance bus services.

“We are targeting the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls route when we eventually buy the first luxury coach.

“We believe that with the experience we have gained in the public transport sector, we have what it takes to grow the business and be counted among big players in the transport sector,” said Mr Khumalo.

Bulawayo Urban Residents Association (Bura) chairman, Mr Winos Dube commended the bold move by the former pirate taxi operators to regularise their business.

“Residents of Bulawayo deserve a safe and reliable public transport sector and the move by Expriccoss Taxis to run their business in a manner that is legal and transparent must be applauded,” said Mr Dube.